Kariba rehab project nears completion
Boost for smallholder farmers
THE multi-million-dollar Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project (KDRP) — a critical undertaking meant to extend the life of the dam and ensure stable power supplies in Zimbabwe and Zambia — is now 93 percent complete.
Last week, contractors completed excavation of the dam’s plunge pool, marking a major milestone in the project, which began in 2017.
The ambitious US$294 million project, aimed at reshaping the plunge pool and refurbishing the spillway, promises to extend the dam’s lifespan by 60 years and bolster hydropower generation.
In a statement, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) said: “Excavation of the plunge pool, a key milestone in the plunge pool reshaping sub-project of the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project, has been successfully completed.
“In total, about 300 100 m³ (about 750 000 tonnes) of rock have been excavated through meticulous drilling and controlled blasting, coupled with the stabilisation of 20 000 m² of slopes using anchors and shotcrete.
“While the excavation works are now 100 percent complete, the overall project is now 93 percent complete.”
The project’s key components include reshaping the plunge pool, an undertaking that involves excavating and reshaping the 80-metre-deep plunge pool at the base of the dam to prevent further erosion and improve water flow.
Refurbishing the spillway, which involves upgrading the spillway gates and control systems, is expected to enhance flood control capabilities and ensure the dam’s safety during heavy rains.
The project also includes institutional strengthening of the ZRA, a component that focuses on equipping the authority with the necessary expertise and resources to effectively manage the dam in the long term.
“As 2023 draws to a close, we commence the final phase of this extraordinary engineering marvel and remain focused on the upcoming challenges related to the strengthening of the geological fault zone that is located immediately downstream of the dam,” said ZRA.
“This will be achieved through constructing
MASVINGO has set its sights on leading Zimbabwe’s bid to become Africa’s biggest lithium producer, with the province planning to ramp up annual output of the mineral from about 18 000 tonnes in 2020 to 150 000 tonnes by 2030.
It is envisaged Sinomine’s Bikita Minerals will anchor the ambitious drive towards the target.
Bikita Minerals was snapped up by Sinomine in a US$300 million investment deal last year. The Chinese mining giant recently completed developing spodumene and petalite processing plants that were commissioned by President Mnangagwa.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said the province plans to rapidly expand its annual lithium production over the next seven years.
Bikita Minerals, he said, will account for the bulk of the anticipated jump in production after recent exploration work revealed the mine was sitting on 65 million tonnes of lithium.
“We want to scale up lithium production from around 17 960 tonnes that was produced in 2020 to 150 000 tonnes by the year 2030,” he said.
“We are satisfied with progress that has been taking place at Bikita Minerals, especially after the multi-million-dollar investment by Sinomine that has not only increased lithium output but is also creating more jobs for our people, leading to aggregate growth of the province’s mining sector.
“Recently, President Mnangagwa commissioned spodumene and petalite process
An aerial view of Kariba Dam a reinforced concrete slab that will cover the weak-rock zone to protect it from possible future erosion.
“Upon completion of this concreting work, the plunge pool will be re-watered (refilled with water).”
Refilling of the plunge pool, said the authority, will not affect river levels downstream.
Added ZRA: “The objective of the plunge pool excavation works was to widen and change the shape of the 80m plunge pool, which was created by the immense pressure of the ejected water jets during spilling episodes.
“It is worth noting that the ongoing works are an outstanding engineering feat, with the plunge pool reshaping component particularly taking the trophy for an unprecedented scope of works.
“Upon completion, the KDRP will be recorded in history as the first project of this magnitude ever undertaken with open-pit excavation at the foot of a 60-year-old dam
Website : www.guturdc.org.zw | Webmail: info@guturdc.org.zw | Facebook & Twitter: Gutu Rural District Council with underground power houses on either banks of the river in full operation.”
It is anticipated that the project will be completed in 2025, when the spillway refurbishment sub-project is finalised.
The Kariba Dam, built in the 1950s, anchors electricity generation for both Zimbabwe and Zambia.
However, years of erosion and wear had threatened its structural integrity and reduced its hydropower output.
OVER 3 000 hectares (ha) of oncedormant irrigation schemes have been rehabilitated under a Government-led programme geared towards climate-proofing agricultural production and increasing productivity.
Under the Smallholder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP), the Government plans to bring back to life over 5 000ha of irrigation schemes that are lying idle in 18 districts, creating swathes of greenbelts across Zimbabwe’s rural landscapes.
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said: “The programme is targeting four provinces of Masvingo, Manicaland, Matabeleland South and Midlands.
“It covers 21 districts — Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chiredzi, Chirumanzu, Chivi, Gokwe South, Gutu, Gwanda, Gweru, Insiza, Kwekwe Rural, Makoni, Mangwe, Masvingo Rural, Mberengwa, Mwenezi, Zvishavane, Bikita, Zaka, Beitbridge and Matobo.”
He added: “The programme is targeting to rehabilitate 5 202ha of irrigation land and to date, the programme has covered 3 385ha.
“It also seeks to provide capacity-building to 27 500 farmers in the following areas: good agricultural practices; farming as a business; post-harvest management; natural resources management; nutrition education; gender mainstreaming; and operations and maintenance.” SIRP is a seven-year initiative aimed at boosting the resilience and livelihoods of rural communities through revitalised and expanded irrigation schemes.
The programme targets areas that are particularly vulnerable to food and nutrition insecurity, climate change and economic shocks.
It also empowers farmers with knowledge and skills, while promoting climate-smart practices like water harvesting and production of drought-resistant crops.
The holistic approach is geared towards equipping communities to thrive in the face of climate change.
More than 2 000 youth have since undergone capacity-building training under the programme.
“A total of 2 364 youths (1 254 males and 1 110 males), against a target of 2 000, received training in the following disciplines: basic electrical installations; pump operations; bricklaying; canal construction; welding and fabrication; mushroom production; apiculture; baking and confectionery; garment design; cutting and sewing; intensive livestock production; and market gardening,” he added.
Government workers, he said, had also received training through SIPR.
“The programme was targeting to train 500 staff and to date, 1 050 staff have been mentored.”
The programme was launched in November 2016 and is set to be completed in June next year, after being extended by six months.