HWANGE Colliery Company (Hwange) says it is at an advanced stage in engaging a new mining contractor to increase thermal and industrial coal production.

The coal miner’s acting managing director Blake Mhatiwa said the new development will result in increased monthly production towards the end of 2022.

“This will enable the company to meet its demand for dry products. The company has engaged a contractor to resuscitate beehive coke ovens to produce high-value foundry coke which is in high demand in the export market. The production is targeted to commence during the first quarter of 2022, and will generate about US$3,4 million in 2022,” Mhatiwa said in a statement accompanying financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021.

As for Lubimbi Development, Mhatiwa said the Option Area and Lubimbi coalfields are planned for the medium term.

“The company has therefore held stakeholder engagements at Lubimbi in preparation for the mining process. The company is also looking at the prospects of electricity generation at Lubimbi to complement the mining process. Preparatory work towards mining Option Area has begun,” he said.