Makomo working on increasing coal production

07 Oct, 2018 - 00:10 0 Views
Makomo working on increasing coal production Mrs Monica Chinamasa

The Sunday News

Mrs Monica Chinamasa

Mrs Monica Chinamasa

Leonard Ncube in Hwange
COAL producer Makomo Resources in Hwange is seeking to increase production from the current 120 000 tonnes per month to more than 300 000 to cater for a rise in demand by small-scale tobacco farmers for curing the golden leaf.
The coal miner celebrated eight years since formation in 2001 with a colourful event at the mine site in Hwange on Friday. Guest of honour Mrs Monica Chinamasa, who is chairperson of the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) said demand for coal by small-scale tobacco farmers will rise to 250 000 tonnes in five years. Makomo Resources is producing 120 000 tonnes monthly.

“It’s important to note that coal is no longer only used in the generation of power as it has become the preferred source of energy in curing of tobacco. The future of tobacco industry heavily depends on producing tobacco in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner hence there has been campaigns to encourage farmers to use coal as an alternative source of energy as well as desisting from cutting down indigenous trees,” said Mrs Chinamasa.

She said Makomo Resources plays a key role in the country’s energy sector hence TIMB was open to partnerships with the mining industry.

She said use of coal is no longer a preserve of a few commercial farmers, as the number of tobacco farmers has grown to 140 894 growers from 2 000 commercial farmers before the land reform programme which empowered indigenous farmers who now dominate the industry.

In the 2017-2018 farmers season, tobacco farmers produced a total of 252 529, 691 kilogrammes of tobacco worth $737 798 420.  Mrs Chinamasa said the trend had led to a serious cutting down of trees as a source of energy hence the need for research to minimise atmospheric pollution. Makomo has partnered tobacco companies which will see small-scale farmers receiving 50 kilogrammes bags of cobbles each.

Makomo Resources technical services and processing manager Mr Steve Carinus said the company is working on increasing production to 300 000 tonnes per month in light of rise in demand.

“Safety has been very good which contributed to some of the successes you have heard today. We’re doing well and a lot of maintenance is going on as we are looking at upping our game and increasing volumes from the current 120 000 per month to 300 000 tonnes per month,” he said. The celebrations saw 95 workers receiving five-year service awards.

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