The Hwange Coke Oven Battery is set to resume operations from 1 October, a development expected to boost Zimbabwe’s mining sector significantly. The refurbishment of the coke oven battery, which is now 99 percent complete, will see production of coke starting by the end of December.
The coke oven battery previously existed at Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) but had ceased operations after reaching the end of its natural life, leaving a gap in the mining value chain.
Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Winston Chitando, said the refurbishment marks a return to value addition in the coal sector.
“At HCCL, there used to be a coke oven battery years ago, but it came to the end of its natural life. Since then, HCCL has been producing coking coal and selling it in its raw form. With the refurbished coke oven battery, HCCL will channel some of its coking coal to produce coke, which can be sold at higher value,” Minister Chitando said.
He highlighted the economic benefits: “This refurbishment will not only increase revenue for HCCL but also improve profitability. It reinforces Zimbabwe’s commitment to value addition and beneficiation in the mining industry.”
The refurbishment was completed at a cost-effective figure of approximately US$9 million, significantly lower compared to establishing new coke oven facilities.
Minister Chitando described the turnaround of HCCL as a major milestone, emphasizing its positive impact on the coal and mining sectors and its contribution to the country’s vision of becoming an upper-middle income economy.
“The projects we have witnessed are creating vast downstream activities in Hwange Town, including numerous service providers and emerging industries. This is a direct outcome of the effective utilization of coal assets aligned with the presidential strategic vision for economic growth,” he added.
The revived coke oven battery promises to enhance Hwange’s industrial profile and strengthen the entire mining value chain through increased value addition and economic diversification
