Staff Reporter

Government is taking bold steps toward industrialisation, with one of its flagship initiatives being the establishment of a US$3.6 billion mining and energy industrial park in Beitbridge, Matabeleland South Province.

This ambitious project is a key pillar in the country’s drive toward economic growth and self-sufficiency, particularly in the energy and mining sectors.

During a tour of the facility last Saturday, Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Evelyn Ndlovu, expressed her admiration for the project’s early achievements.

“I am so impressed by this project. The most critical thing they are doing is the transfer of skills to the locals and the creation of employment, underscoring the impact on human capital development in the region.

“This initiative was born from a meeting between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the chairman of the industrial park, Mr. Xong Xi Dong. The park’s establishment highlights the Second Republic’s commitment to mineral value addition and industrial development, which are vital to achieving the goals outlined in Vision 2030. As Zimbabwe pushes forward on its developmental agenda, the Beitbridge project is helping to transform lives,” Minister Ndlovu explained.

Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Winston Chitando, echoed similar sentiments, noting the project’s importance to Zimbabwe’s mining future.

“This project, once complete, will change the face of our mining. It is critical as we pursue Vision 2030. Massive employment, innovation, and skills training are at the heart of the Second Republic’s vision.

“Barely a year since its inception, the industrial park is already making a tangible impact on the local community. Employing 400 locals, it stands as a beacon of progress, offering much-needed jobs and fostering the transfer of critical skills. The venture is powered by a joint collaboration between the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), Palm River Energy, and Metallurgical Mining. With coal supplied from the Thuli coalfields, the project is set to produce 100 megawatts of electricity in the near future,” said Minister Chitando.

The industrial park, which covers 5 000 hectares within a Special Economic Zone, is poised to become a major player in Zimbabwe’s mining and energy sectors.

While it currently employs 400 people, the workforce is expected to surge to 5 000 once the facility becomes fully operational, further solidifying its role in driving the nation’s economic growth and prosperity