EMA okays new steel plant

All is set for the commissioning of the region’s biggest steel company in Mvuma after the Environment Management Authority (EMA) granted the mining firm, Dinson Iron and Steel Company the green light to start operations.

Dinson Iron and Steel is a subsidiary of the Fortune-listed Tsingshan and will upon commencement of operations become the biggest steelmaker in SADC with an expected turnover of US$1,5 billion from the processing plant and iron ore mine from next year.

Equipped with a 1,5km by 600m carbon and steel plant, an iron ore mine, and a ferrochrome plant, the project will have a capacity of 1,2 million tonnes a year, while between 4 000 and 5 000 people will benefit through employment across value chains.

“Dinson has undertaken to pre-finance the construction of the line, in case Zesa does not have the capacity to do so, and additionally, we are finalising a Transmission Connection Agreement with them. Electricity is central to our operations and we are investing so much to meet our timelines for commissioning by December 2022,” reads a statement from the company.

After getting the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) from EMA, the company has moved to start operations with the objective of eliminating any harmful impact, not only on the environment but also on the people.

“We are also happy to report that during our EIA certification consultation process, we engaged the community and only six families will be affected by way of losing part of their farming plots with none bigger than two hectares. This is a very sparsely populated farming area.

“We signed Memoranda of Understanding with the families to compensate them for the losses arising from our operations. On the main, this community is happy about the investment as it will modernise the area, bring jobs, development and new amenities as well as infrastructures such as roads, electricity, and water.”-The Herald