Manhizie steel plant increases workforce to 1 400

Zim Now Writer

The construction of what is set to be Africa’s biggest integrated steel plant, the Manhize Steel Plant has been ramped up with an increased labour force to meet the December deadling.

“It’s a hive of activity at the Manhize steel plant construction site in Mvuma and the project is now at 60 percent complete. We have engaged more employees and we now have a strong 1 400 workforce mostly locals from the surrounding areas who are working to meet the December deadline when production is expected to commence,” Dinson public relations manager, Joseph Shoko, said.

Dinson, a subsidiary of Tsingshan Holdings, the world’s largest stainless-steel producer, has increased the workforce to about 1 400 as it pushes to meet the December 2023 deadline for the commencement of production.

The Manhize Steel Plant, which is expected to be a game changer to Zimbabwe’s economy has made locals the biggest beneficiaries of job opportunities with huge development spin-offs to the surrounding communities and the economy at large.

The plant will produce about 1.2 million tonnes of steel annually and create over 10 000 jobs at its peak and cut Zimbabwe’s annual steel imports by 90 percent, according to the company.

“Yes, we are moving with speed, no hiccups either other than the challenges of electricity, which stalls progress. We need electricity at this stage for welding for example and unfortunately, we are not spared of long hours of load shedding,” said Shoko.

Shoko said the Sintering Complex was 70 percent complete while the De-dusting complex is almost complete. The main workshop and warehouse, which is 400x150m, is about 80 percent complete.

“Lots of fabrication is taking place, bending of steel of all sizes we need and also bending and shaping zinc is taking place. So, it’s a hive of activity at the site.

Construction of the Munyati Manhize Bridge is complete and has been opened to traffic while construction of the power line from Sherwood, which is expected to ensure connectivity leading to the commencement of production before the end of the year, is set to begin soon.

Zimbabwe lost its status as the region’s iron and steel hub with the collapse of the Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company.

The emergence of Manhize brings with it potential export markets for Zimbabwe, which include Zambia, Botswana, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique and Namibia.