COAL mining has been identified as one of the sectors expected to contribute significantly to the target of a 12-billion-dollar mining industry by 2023.
Current projections indicate that the coal mining will surpass the one billion United States dollar target by 2023 thereby edging the country closer to attaining a 12-billion-dollar mining industry.
The Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Cde Winston Chitando told ZBC News in Masvingo at the weekend that the country’s coal mining sector is poised for a major boom after more players were given operating licences.“The coal sector is probably one of the most exciting sub-sectors in the industry. It’s the first sector which will not only achieve but exceed its 2023 target. Actually I want to refer to it as coal and hydrocarbons because we are looking at 4 product lines which are thermal coal, industrial coal, coking coal and the CBM gas and we are looking at the whole CBM chain,” said the Minister.The country is also expected to be extracting coal bed methane gas by 2023 which will be used for electricity generation, among other targets. The minister also revealed that a new tantalite project is being pursued in Bikita.
“Tantalite is also another new kid on the block. Specifically here in Masvingo, we will be later on in the week be visiting a tantalite operation which is coming up in Bikita. We are looking at all the minerals benefiting the country,”
