By Tich Mberi

Zimbabwe Mining and Smelting Company (ZIMASCO) and Afrochine (Private) Limited are set to construct four chrome smelting furnaces in Zvishavane, costing around US$84 million and expected to produce 140 000 tonnes of ferrochrome per year when fully functional, the Harare Post has learnt.

An official who spoke to the publication exposed that ZIMASCO is currently operating two smelting furnaces in Kwekwe while Afrochine recently commissioned additional two smelters to the one they were operating.

“ZIMASCO is operating two smelting furnaces in Kwekwe whereas Afrochine recently commissioned an additional two smelters at its Selous plant from the current one it was operating.

“We expect to have finished construction of the four smelting furnaces by the year 2022 and ZIMASCO also intends to apply for the National Project Status and the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status for the smelting construction project,” revealed the official.

ZIMASCO and Afrochine are the two largest ferrochrome producers in the country with the companies production expected to boost the country’s chrome mining sector.

The investment by the two companies is testament that Zimbabwe has a safe business environment which is conducive to invest in. These and other investments furthers the Zimbabwe is open for business mantra by His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and will aid in the attainment of the middle income economy by 2030.