MOSES MATENGA
Mining group, Kuvimba Mining House, is investing in alternative power to cushion its entities out of the debilitating effects of load-shedding that has hit hard on business.
This follows huge million-dollar investments into several mines now under the mining firm that has increased their lifespan.
Zimbabwe is faced by a power crisis that has seen the power utility, ZESA, shedding off mines and industries with the mining giant now seeking alternative power.
Speaking during an operational tour of the Bindura Nickel Corporation by media players this week, MD Thomas Lusiyano said load-shedding has severely affected them but they have a plan out of the crisis.
“Load-shedding is indeed coming at unprecedented levels and we understand challenges on the national grid so what we are doing internally, firstly is an internal discussion within Kuvimba Mining House so that we can be able to import power directly from our neighbouring countries,” Lusiyano said.
“Our colleagues in the mining sector are already doing that. We have a number of mines within our stable therefore we have the capacity to import power directly.”
He added: “Secondly we are going to install a solar power plant on our farm nearby and all the preliminary work has been done including due technical work on the ground and securing all the approvals. Only what we are waiting for is the taking off of the project on the ground.”
The company is, at the instigation of ZESA, shedding off power as the crisis persists.
The company is currently using over US$900,000 a month on power and will save over US$2m yearly through the solar power investment.
Lusiyano added: “The construction phase will take approximately one year. The first phase will be 18 megawatts that will focus primarily on BNC then the second phase will top that up to 56 megawatts that will then include our sister mines, Freda Rebecca and Shamva gold mine.”
BNC is owned by Kuvimba Mining House with the mining giant breathing a new lease of life to extend the Bindura mining company’s lifespan to 12 years from three since taking over.
“When Kuvimba Mining House took over Bindura Nickel Corporation the life of mine for Trojan Mine was only three years and unfortunately because of that short life even employees were not sure whether the business was coming or going. Investors were not sure whether there was a business here or not. When Kuvimba Mining House took over, there was a lot of investment deliberately done,” he said.
“What was required was machinery and from three years ago, Kuvimba Mining House has invested big on that and we are grateful.”
The company has also engaged in exploration at Kingston Hill, which will be the biggest resource.
