Patrick Chitumba-Midlands Bureau Chief
Zimbabwe is on track to reclaim its position as an iron and steel-making giant after Dinson Iron and Steel Company expanded its range of products by manufacturing hot wire rods and mill steel balls, which are critical for the manufacturing and mining sectors.
With Zimbabwe saving US$500 000 annually on the steel import bill since the company became operational, there is hope that the country’s industrialisation revolution is well on course.
Disco’s expanded portfolio, which includes pig iron, steel billets, and deformed bars, positions the company as a key supplier to downstream industries. Once fully operational, Disco is set to become one of the largest steel producers in sub-Saharan Africa.
Disco project manager, Mr Wilfred Motsi, said the recent expansion of the product range further solidifies the company’s value addition drive. He was speaking in an interview on the sidelines of a tour of the Manhize Steel Plant by Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding, on Thursday. Also present were Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Monica Mutsvangwa, and Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Cde Webster Shamu, who is also head of the Zimbabwe-China Friendship Association.
Also present were Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Monica Mutsvangwa, and Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Cde Webster Shamu, who is also head of the Zimbabwe-China Friendship Association.
“I am glad to announce that we have started the production of hot wire rods, which are used to produce other small wires such as mesh wire and nails. We are also now producing mining mill balls, which are used for grinding in the mining industry,” he said.
Mr Motsi said these new products add to the catalogue already being manufactured, which includes pig iron, steel billets, and deformed bars.
“The mass production of steel products at this plant is set to play a pivotal role in ensuring the fulfilment of the dictates of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) policy document,” he said.
Mr Motsi added that capacity utilisation has reached 100 percent at the plant.
“We are now producing the set products for phase one as we aim to achieve 600,000 tonnes of steel per year,” he said.
Already, production at the steel plant has exceeded local demand, with exports to Zambia, South Africa, and Malawi underway.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the Government is impressed by the levels of production at the plant.
“The level we have reached in cutting imports is quite substantial. What this means is that our small to medium entrepreneurs are some of the biggest beneficiaries. They used to get some of these deformed bars from abroad, and now they are sourcing them locally at a cheaper price. These bars are critical for our growth as a country,” she said.
Cde Shamu said the visit broadened their understanding of how Disco is contributing to the socio-economic growth of the country.
“We would like to see learners also coming to witness what is being done so that they grow up knowing what it means to grow the country. We commend the Second Republic under the leadership of President Mnangagwa for putting in place measures that saw Disco investing in the country. Soon we want to see Bulawayo turning into a processing centre as well, using products from this place,” he said.
The delegation also witnessed first-hand the CSR infrastructure projects undertaken by Disco, which include schools, clinics, and a road.
The Manhize Steel Plant is set to become one of Africa’s largest integrated steelworks. Disco is one of the Zimbabwean subsidiaries of Tsingshan Holding Group, the global stainless-steel powerhouse headquartered in China.
Tsingshan also operates Dinson Colliery in Hwange, Matabeleland North, and Afrochine Smelting in Selous, Mashonaland West.
Disco is expected to produce 600 000 tonnes of steel products in phase one, rising to 1.2 million tonnes in phase two, 3.2 million tonnes in phase three, and ultimately reaching five million tonnes a year in the final phase. This growth trajectory is anticipated to earn Zimbabwe hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign currency, boost the economy, and generate more jobs.
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