DISCO, ZMF Deal Shatters Export Barriers

Nyashadzashe Ndoro – Chief Reporter

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation has entered into a landmark partnership with Dinson Iron and Steel Company, a Chinese-owned firm operating the Manhize steel plant, to establish DISCO as an official off-taker and machinery supplier for small-scale chrome miners.

Announced following a tour of DISCO’s facility last Friday, the agreement aims to streamline operations for artisanal and small-scale miners while strengthening the local mining industry.

According to ZMF president Henrietta Rushwaya, the collaboration will enable DISCO to directly purchase chrome from small-scale miners and provide them with access to affordable mining equipment. This arrangement is expected to ease long-standing challenges such as frequent operational downtime and the complexities involved in exporting minerals.

Rushwaya noted that the partnership will eliminate the need for small-scale miners to navigate intricate export procedures, including acquiring CD1 forms and export permits. The direct procurement model offers a guaranteed buyer and consistent payment schedules, helping to bring greater stability to miners' operations.

“DISCO has agreed to buy chrome directly from our small-scale miners and supply them with affordable equipment,” said Rushwaya.
“This will reduce downtime and increase efficiency, allowing our miners to focus on production rather than bureaucratic hurdles.”

The ZMF also emphasised the growing contribution of artisanal and small-scale chrome miners to Zimbabwe’s overall mining output. However, the federation acknowledged that fluctuating prices, high transportation costs, and dependence on international buyers have historically hampered the sector’s growth and profitability. The partnership with DISCO is expected to mitigate these challenges and support the government’s broader mining industrialisation agenda.

In a related development, ZMF and DISCO have also signed an agreement aimed at reducing Zimbabwe’s reliance on imported mining machinery.

Through this partnership, DISCO will supply locally manufactured equipment—such as bow and hammer mills made from steel—to the small-scale mining sector. ZMF is encouraging its members to prioritise the procurement of these locally made products in order to conserve foreign currency and boost domestic industry.

DISCO Managing Director Benson Xu reiterated the company’s commitment to prioritising local demand for its steel products before turning to exports. The US$1 billion DISCO steel plant in Manhize has an initial production target of 600,000 metric tonnes of carbon steel per annum, a capacity deemed crucial for Zimbabwe’s industrial development.

The government has already shown its support for the revitalisation of the local steel industry through initiatives such as Statutory Instrument 46 of 2025, which restricts steel imports.