NRZ to manufacture mining spares
TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) says its engineering unit, the Inter-Rail-Technologies, is set to manufacture mining equipment spare parts as it expands its footprint and generate more revenue for the rail parastatal.
NRZ spokesperson, Martin Banda said the unit was targeting to clinch deals to manufacture mining equipment spares for small scale and established miners
“Inter-Rail-Tech (Integrated Rail Technologies) is an engineering services unit of the NRZ . It was exhibiting at this year’s exhibition with emphasis on requirements of small scale and established miners.
“The unit consists of different engineering departments capable of providing solutions to challenges faced by local industries including miners. To this end, it was noted that there is a need for industry and miners to work together which would result in cutting down on looking for talent and engineering components outside the country, “Banda said.
He said Inter-Rail-Tech can save the country and miners the much needed foreign currency by manufacturing spares locally and at competitive prices.
Most of the spares used in the mining sector are imported but Inter-Rail-Tech is able to manufacture them to customers’ specifications, Banda said.
“Mining spares which can be manufactured by Inter-Rail-Tech at massive workshops include sleave wheels, cocopan wheels, dolly wheels, rollers for conveyors, non-standard bolts, nuts, flanges and crane wheels.
It can also repair heavy mining equipment such as jaw crushers while it has the expertise to rewind motors and generators, “he said.
Banda said the NRZ mechanical workshops are among the largest in Zimbabwe and are equipped with machinery to do most jobs required by industry.
“Inter-Rail-Tech has since its establishment, close to five years ago, clinched a number of contracts to supply spares for established mining companies in the country. On display at this year’s ZITF were various engineering products which can be manufactured by the NRZ.Inter-Rail-Tech consists of NRZ’s mechanical, signals, electrical and bridgeyard sections.
“The sections previously provided engineering solutions for NRZ rail operations only but their activities have been expanded to take outside jobs.NRZ mechanical workshops are among the largest in Zimbabwe and are equipped with machinery to do most jobs required by industry, “Banda said.
The rail entity’s new brand, Inter-Rail-Tech, was established in 2017 to unlock NRZ’s engineering expertise and capacity.
