Hwange Colliery Company Limited committed US$60 million to develop underground coal mining operations through a partnership with Zhongjin Investments. The project aims to reverse financial troubles that placed the company under administration two years ago. Management expects the initiative to restore production capacity, and boost annual output significantly. Officials designed the venture to unlock mining potential at Zimbabwe's oldest colliery facility.
Engineers completed two shafts extending one kilometer underground at 12-degree angles to access coal seams 240 meters below ground level. The operation currently extracts 600,000 tonnes annually, but will expand to 2.5 million tonnes next year. Advanced equipment will achieve 90 percent extraction rates from 10-meter coal deposits. The facility plans to construct coke ovens producing 18,000 tonnes yearly, and generate 420 megawatts of electricity within five years.
Engineers completed two shafts extending one kilometer underground at 12-degree angles to access coal seams 240 meters below ground level. The operation currently extracts 600,000 tonnes annually, but will expand to 2.5 million tonnes next year. Advanced equipment will achieve 90 percent extraction rates from 10-meter coal deposits. The facility plans to construct coke ovens producing 18,000 tonnes yearly, and generate 420 megawatts of electricity within five years.
