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Charity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
A SOUTH African firm, Maxam Dantel Civil Explosives, is seeking permission to establish a RIOFLEX manufacturing plant worth millions of dollars in Hwange to provide services to coal, gold and quarry mines in the country.RIOFLEX is an ammonium nitrate (AN) based family of bulk watergel explosives representing the latest development in the bulk technology.

Currently most firms in Zimbabwe import the explosives from countries such as South Africa, which increases their costs of doing business.

The firm has engaged Environmental Guardians Services (EGS) to work on an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), as required by the Environmental Management Act, to ascertain positive and negative impact of the project.

EGS is scheduled to meet interested parties on a consultative meeting mid next month.

The consultancy firm’s senior consultant Mernad Nsingo told Chronicle Business Thursday the explosives would be used to expose coal seam for miners.

“The firm recently registered in the country as MAXAM Civil Explosives in order to seek permission to establish the facility in Hwange. The explosives will be used in coal mines to dismantle the overburden on top of the coal and leave the seam exposed,” said Nsingo.

“The project will be assessed as required by the law and we’re also going to conduct a consultative meeting on April 15 with various stakeholders to deliberate on the establishment of the project.”

Nsingo said the outcome of the meeting will be forwarded to EMA, which will give the green light or disapprove the establishment of the plant.

“If this facility is established, it’ll be the first in the country. Those dealing with gold, quarry and granite have also been importing explosives,” he added.

The consultative meeting will be attended by representatives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Hwange Colliery Company Limited, Chilota and Makoma coal mines, South Mining, Zesa, Forestry Commission, Cinderella Community leaders, Hwange District Administrator, Hwange Local Board, churches, NRZ, Ministry of Transport, Zinwa and Zanu-PF youths.

Interested groups have also been urged to send their views, concerns and comments in writing to the Environmental Guardians Services by April 21.

The meeting would be held at Little Theatre in Hwange.