Staff Reporter
Gweru based equipment manufacturer, Midlands Metals is set to establish a new electric arc furnace for the production of mill balls to be used by Platinum Mining Companies, Harare Post has learnt.
Mill balls are used in ball mills to grind or blend materials for use in mineral dressing processes, paints, pyrotechnics, ceramics and selective laser sintering.
A source from the Midlands Metals Private Limited informed this publication that the company was in the process of setting up a US$200 000 electric arc furnace for Platinum Mining Companies which would see the manufacturing of mill ball products.
"The Midlands Metals Private Limited had concrete plans to invest into an advanced new US$200 000 electric arc furnace that would allow the company to produce new mill balls products that is to meet the requirements and specifications of the local Platinum sector," said the source.
The furnace is expected to be up and running by the first quarter of 2024 as the funding would be coming from the company’s internally generated revenue. The electric arc furnace would provide mill balls to Platinum giants such as Unki Mine, Zimplats and Mimosa Mining Company which used to import the same from China.
"The new electric arc furnace is expected to be set up and operational in the first quarter of 2024 and the entire US$200 000 investment would come from the internally generated revenue of the company. The electric arc furnace will provide Unki Mine, Zimplats and Mimosa Mining Company with quality mill balls," said the source.
Economic analyst, Albert Mangava applauded the Midlands Metals Private Limited Company for coming up with such an initiative as this would reduce the outflow of foreign currency since the Platinum Mining Companies used to import about 500 metric tonnes from China.
"The setting up of the electric arc furnace will go a long in reducing foreign currency outflow as Platinum Mining Companies used to import about 500 metric tonnes of mill balls in a month at a cost US$2500 per tonne. Hence this also promotes local industries as they contribute to economic growth of Zimbabwe," said Mangava.
Meanwhile, Midlands Metals had set up distribution centres across the country as part of the company’s efforts to spread its wings and availing their products in the market.
