Hwange Colliery Company Limited Holdings hosted over 80 delegates from the Association of Mine Managers of Zimbabwe (AMMZ) during a technical visit, an engagement that highlighted the critical role of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in strengthening the mining sector.
By Ryan Chigoche
In his welcoming remarks, Hwange Colliery CEO William Gambiza highlighted the significance of hosting such a large delegation of senior mining professionals, noting that their presence reflected the strength and unity of the country’s mining fraternity.
He emphasised that the mining sector remains central to Zimbabwe’s economic performance, continuing to anchor growth despite global price shifts, environmental pressures, and operational constraints.
Building on this, Gambiza used the platform to outline Hwange’s ongoing transformation, explaining how the company has repositioned itself through a diversified structure comprising five strategic business units.
This restructuring, he noted, is closely linked to the Colliery’s recapitalisation drive, which is being supported through joint ventures with ZJI, ZZEE, Dinson Mega, Rockdrill, and HCUI—partnerships that are enhancing equipment availability and strengthening both underground and opencast production capacity.
As he updated the delegation on key operational developments, Gambiza drew particular attention to progress on one of Hwange’s major beneficiation investments: the new coke oven battery.
“On production beneficiation initiatives, I am glad to highlight that we have successfully completed construction of a 32-coke oven battery, which is currently in the heating phase up to the end of December 2025. The battery is expected to produce around 18,000 tonnes of coking coal per month when fully operational from the beginning of the new year,” Gambiza said.
The project stands out as one of the Colliery’s most significant recent capital undertakings and is expected to greatly enhance value addition while supporting domestic industrial and metallurgical supply chains. Its commissioning feeds directly into the broader recapitalisation framework, which aims to stabilise output and reposition the company for long-term growth.
Progress in environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives was also highlighted. Hwange continues to invest in safety management, workforce wellness programmes, and community development. A notable example is the recent donation of 75 mobile science laboratories to rural schools in Lupane, aimed at supporting STEM education and reinforcing the Colliery’s commitment to responsible, community-oriented operations.
The technical visit underscored the role of AMMZ engagements in fostering professional development and knowledge exchange.
These tours provide mine managers with a platform to benchmark operations, share insights, and strengthen networks, contributing to the continuous improvement of mining standards across the country.
