‘Foundry sector to benefit from Disco plant’

ZIMBABWE Institute of Foundries (ZIF) has said the local foundry sector stands to immensely benefit from the giant Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco) plant in Manhize as it will bring ease of doing business in the metal casting industry through the availability of raw materials.

At 95 percent completion, the US$1,5 billion Disco plant at Manhize, Chirumhanzu District, in the Midlands Province, is almost ready to commence production, just about two years after President Mnangagwa led its ground-breaking ceremony.

The project, which encompasses the establishment of a smart city to be called Manhize Town and a science university, will drive massive beneficiation and value addition of steel and accelerate economic growth through exports and huge job opportunities along the value chain.

ZIF chief operations officer Mr Dosman Mangisi told Business Chronicle that the institute has already started to work with Disco to promote local foundry players.

The foundry sector has the potential to feed into the turnaround of the Zimbabwean economy and other African countries’ economies due to the availability of raw materials including base metals and human resources.

“The Manhize project is a very magnificent project which is putting Zimbabwe and the local foundry industry on a global map.

“The company will bring ease of doing business in the metal casting industry through the availability of raw material and we believe Zimbabwe will be the leading giant in foundry in producing quality and affordable products based on the scope of Dinson,” said Mr Mangisi.

He added that Disco will assist in addressing several issues affecting the country, including the transport sector where he said the company will develop a railway line and promote easy movement of goods.

“Also, we are witnessing the second city of iron and steel after Redcliff, so I urge the players not to fold hands but rally behind and look for opportunities around the projects,” he said.

The company plans to build a railway line from Mvuma to Manhize, which is about 50km.

This will assist the company to move bulk products for export to the rest of the world since railway is the cheapest mode of transport to move bulk goods.

Last week, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni, led chief executive officers from mining companies, foundries, banks and the media to get the feel of progress made on-site and the company expects to start production by the end of April this year.

The minister and industry executives got first-hand exposure to the massive blast furnace superstructure that is almost complete, among other critical plant components.

Manpower has been increased to expedite the construction of the power line linking Sherwood in Kwekwe and the new giant factory.

Disco expects to directly employ 3 000 workers in the first phase with the figure expected to rise to over 10 000 in the fourth phase of production. –chronicle