Colliery 3-Main Underground Mine angles for increased output

COAL production at Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL)’s 3-Main Underground Mine is set to gradually increase beginning January 2023 following the delivery of new mining equipment being rolled out in three phases.

The underground mine’s recapitalisation for coking coal production is a business partnership between Hwange Colliery Company and Dinson Colliery Private Limited, a coke manufacturing company based in Mpongola Village on the outskirts of Hwange.

Shanxi Tiandi Coal Mining Machinery Company Limited from China supplies the mining equipment.
With the projected completion of the third phase sometime in early 2024, the mine will be expected to produce around 150 000 tonnes of coking coal per month.

Dinson Colliery plant in Hwange

Currently, 3-Main Underground Mine is producing around 21 000 tonnes a month.
Business Chronicle spoke to acting mine manager Mr Moses Nyathi to gain more insights into the project, which is expected to be a game changer for the mine from an overall coal production perspective.

“We are excited at the prospects of ramping up production at 3-Main, as we are currently wrapping up the first phase of the recapitalisation and retooling phase,” he said.

“At the end of the whole project, the mine will have three operational sections, which will each have a Continuous Miner (CM) suite and other support equipment like roof bolters, Load Haul and Dump (LHD) and a Feeder Breaker (FBK).

“We have since received the first phase Low Profile Continuous Miner machine.”

Mr Nyathi said the company has also taken delivery of a roof bolter, feeder breaker, a five-tonne truck and minibus (men carrier), stating that some of this equipment will be deployed under Phase 2 of the project.

He went on to highlight that more mine infrastructure upgrades will be carried out in Phase 2 as the company seeks to bolster its operational efficiency.

“On Phase 2, there will also be extensive infrastructural upgrades as we prepare for the three mining sections and we will be looking at the conveyer belt systems, power reticulation, water reticulation, and ventilation in this special project meant to ensure that the mine operates more efficiently with minimal disruptions to production processes,” he said.

“We have planned for a period of seven months between each phase and this current stage, Phase 2, is expected to be complete by June/July next year while the last phase is set for completion around January or February 2024.”

Mr Nyathi said 3-Main Underground Mine currently employs 169 workers who have specialties ranging from mine planning, coal production, engineering (both mechanical and electrical), supply chain, SHEQ, human resources, and other trades. – HCCL Bulletin.-chronice.cl.zw