ZCDC targets 3,2m carats in 2020

07 Feb, 2020 - 00:02 0 Views
ZCDC targets 3,2m carats in 2020 ZCDC mine manager Mr Innocent Guvakuva (left) briefs journalists on the mine operations in Chiadzwa last Thursday. — Picture by Tinai Nyadzayo

The ManicaPost

Business Reporter
The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), which has been reeling from relentless power cuts and acute fuel shortages ,is targeting to produce 3,2 million carats this year, up from 1,6 million carats in 2019.

The 1,6 million carats produced in 2019 was the lowest in the Marange mine’s history. In 2017, the mine produced 1,8 million carats and 2,8 million in 2018. ZCDC was formed in 2016 after the Government cancelled mining licences for seven miners operating in the area.

ZCDC mine manager Mr Innocent Guvakuva told journalists last week during a tour of the Chiadzwa diamond fields located approximately 100km south- west of Mutare that last year the company had lost close to eight million tonnes of ore that could not be moved for processing due to power cuts and fuel shortages.

“The machines we have can move up to 2 500 tonnes a day, but last year they spent most of the time idle. We have the equipment but there were power and fuel challenges,” he said.

When there is no electricity, ZCDC uses over 4 000 litres of diesel a day.

ZCDC has installed a powerful machine capable of processing 450 tonnes per hour and has now moved to phase three where carat production is expected to significantly increase. Acting ZCDC chief executive officer Mr Roberto De Preto had earlier told journalists that the company was aiming at producing about 3,2 million carats in 2020 through acquisition of two mobile crushing and recovery plants, which would increase capacity to an estimated 650 tonnes per hour.

Under phase three, a state-of-the-art 5G X ray band machine will be installed to assist in diamond production.

“The focus now is on optimisation of the plant to make sure power is there whether from the grid or generators. Once we increase liberisation of diamonds the carat production goes up,” he said.

Plans are now underway to set up solar plants to complement power from the grid.

“For full production, there is need for a hybrid system which comprises both solar and power from national grid. We are working on a feasibility study. We have advertised and a consultant has been engaged in line with corporate governance systems,’’ said Mr Guvakuva.

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