Hwange coal producers have moved to act on a government directive to revitalise the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) infrastructure, with plans now underway to refurbish the critical railway line linking the Hwange coalfields to domestic and regional markets, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Ryan Chigoche
This latest development comes barely a month after Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, while officiating at the Mine Entra Conference in Bulawayo, called on all coal producers to work collectively towards the rehabilitation of railway infrastructure to enhance coal movement efficiency and reduce transport costs.
During his recent visit to Hwange, the Vice President confirmed that coal miners in the region had heeded the call and were now finalising a joint proposal to implement the project. The document, he said, will soon be submitted to the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) for consideration.
“One of the enablers for Hwange coal business is to have an efficient transport system, and the only efficient transport system is the railway,” said VP Chiwenga during the tour.
“They are drafting their paper, which they told me is almost done, which will come to the Office of the President and Cabinet… that they, with the other companies here, can refurbish the railway line, which will then take the products to the various markets.”
VP Chiwenga said the government fully supports the private-sector-driven initiative, noting that it aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader industrialisation and logistics modernisation agenda.
Hwange Colliery Company, the country’s largest coal producer, is expected to take a coordinating role in the project, alongside other major players including Makomo Resources, Zambezi Gas Zimbabwe, Chilota Collieries, and Chaba Mines.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, saying the rehabilitation of the Hwange–Bulawayo–Gweru railway corridor will significantly cut transport costs, improve delivery times, and reduce the strain on national highways currently burdened by heavy coal haulage trucks.
According to the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), coal exports in the first eight months of 2025 more than doubled to 337,586 tonnes compared to 166,713 tonnes during the same period last year, with export earnings rising to US$14.4 million.
Analysts say the improved railway network could unlock further growth, positioning Hwange as a regional energy hub.
Coal remains a strategic pillar of Zimbabwe’s energy mix and industrial development.
With the planned railway rehabilitation now on the horizon, the Hwange coalfields are poised for renewed momentum, paving the way for increased output, export competitiveness, and sustained economic contribution.
