Govt avails US$16m for Dorowa Mine
GOVERNMENT is in the process of availing US$16 million to revamp Dorowa Minerals plant in Buhera in a strategic move that will boost basal fertiliser production for both the local and export markets, The Manica Post has established.
The ultimate goal is to upgrade the facility into an all-in-on fertiliser plant, an initiative that fits perfectly into the Second Republic’s devolution thrust — where resources in a particular region must be value-added in situ to boost the locality’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Currently, phosphate produced at Dorowa is processed into basal fertiliser at Zimphos in Harare, thereby helping to boost the capital city’s GDP.
The phosphate plant at Dorowa was established in 1965, and the last refurbishment was done in 1973, about 49 years ago.
Since the amount of money required is huge, the refurbishment project has been staggered into three phases — with the first needing US$6m.
Minister of State in the Office of the President and Cabinet who is in charge of monitoring the implementation of Special Agricultural and Related Programmes, Honourable David Marapira toured the mine on Tuesday and said Government is ready to avail the required funding.
Minister Marapira told The Manica Post that the first phase of the project will more than double the plant’s phosphate production, taking it from the current 45 000 tonnes per annum to 100 000t.
This will be adequate to produce 300 000t of basal fertiliser, which is 75 percent of the national demand.
He said the ultimate goal is to stop importation of basal fertiliser. Fertiliser is the biggest cost for farmers. The project’s second phase will require US$5m and will increase phosphate production from 100 000 to 140 000t per annum, enough to produce the 400 000t of basal fertiliser required for agricultural production in Zimbabwe.
The final phase will need another US$5m, and will slightly move production to 150 000t of phosphate, which will produce 640 000t of basal fertiliser for both local and regional markets.
Part of the funds will be used to repair a 45-kilometre underground pipeline that draws water from Save River, which is constantly bursting due to old age, thereby resulting in plant stoppages and loss of production time.
The pipes were last attended to in the 1970s.
“Dorowa Mine is actually the foundation of agriculture in Zimbabwe. It is the source of the raw materials for the manufacture of basal fertiliser, and as Government we will put in a lot of money through the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to improve phosphate production.
“They need US$16m to revitalise the entire plant. Do not forget that this mine was established in 1965 and the last refurbishment was done in 1973. For about 49 years, nothing has been done there. Government is ready to avail funding because it is a national asset.
“We have to revamp the plant and make it more efficient.
‘‘The overall vision is to have the mining of phosphate, its processing and manufacturing into all kinds of fertilisers done here.
‘‘That is how we create a local upper middle income economy by 2030.
“Think of everything being done here in Buhera. We will create employment for locals while fulfilling President Mnangagwa’s vision of devolution. No one will leave this place to look for employment in Harare,” he said.
The mine is also working on a magnetite plant, which upon completion in July, will increase production from the current 2 000t to 6 000t for the export market,
thereby earning the company some foreign currency.
This project has already been fully funded to the tune of US$2,5m.
Magnetite is a by-product of phosphate, and has huge demand in Mozambique and local mines.
“There is again a focus to revitalise phosphoric acid production, which is needed in the production of beverages.
“There is unlimited demand for it. This mine is actually a powerhouse for both export and agriculture in the country,” said Minister Marapira.
IDC board chairman, Mr Winston Makamure said they have been getting great support from various stakeholders ahead of the 2022/23 farming season.
“We get funding from the fiscus, and we have been very lucky that other stakeholders are fully supporting us. If we get the first tranche of US$6m, we will be able to produce phosphate enough to produce 75 percent of the basal fertiliser required in the country for the next season.
“Our target is to ensure that by next year we will be able to produce 400 000t and stop basal fertiliser imports.
“We can transform the mine to become an all-in-one plant for all types of fertilisers — basal and ammoniated — and be a big supplier in the region,” said Mr Makamure.
He said the mine has already increased its operational production from the previous 30 percent to 50 percent, adding that an injection of more capital will boost their production even further.
The mine used to experience numerous power outages. However it is now operating without any power interruptions due to the internal solutions implemented.