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Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]

THE US$1,5 billion Manhize Steel Plant in the Midlands province has commenced the production of reinforced steel bars (rebars) in yet another milestone development aligning with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and contributing more to the country’s economy.

The Chinese steel manufacturer begun producing rebars this week and these will support infrastructure development, reduce imports and boost the construction industry thereby contributing to economic growth.

The Manhize steel plant is one of the Tsingshan Group of China’s mining projects in Zimbabwe.
The investor is one of the biggest investors with various other projects such as Afrochine Smelting (Pvt) Ltd in Selous, Mashonaland West, which is into chrome smelting and Dinson Colliery (Pvt) Ltd in Hwange, Matabeleland North, which is into coke production.

All these projects are interlinked as both ferrochrome and coke are required in steel production.
Other products that the company will eventually produce include pipes, bolts and nuts, smaller slags, rolled tubes, fences, shafts and wires, among others.

The company commenced operations last year, initially producing pig iron and now has expanded its production line to include rebars, with a target output of 600 000 tonnes of steel products in its first phase.

In an interview yesterday, Mr Wilfred Motsi, who is Disco’s project director confirmed the commencement of rebars production.

“That is true, we have started production and most of the products will be for the local market. The surplus will be exported to improve on exports revenue generation and balance of payments,” he said.

Steel bars produced at Manhize Steel Plant

Commenting on the development, Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association president, Dr Tinashe Manzungu, said production of rebars at Disco Manhize is a welcome development.

“We are working to close the infrastructure gap as contractors and this requires huge capital outlay. Manufacturing such products locally will cut costs significantly thereby making the final products affordable,” he said.

Dr Manzungu said in general, this development is going to drive capacity utilisation of industries.
“There has been an acute shortage of foreign currency to import raw materials such as what Disco Manhize is now producing,” he said.

Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries chief operations officer Mr Dosman Mangisi said the manufacture of rebars will boost the construction industry.