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Zimasco, Zimbabwe's largest ferrochrome
producer, is now facing frequent power outages, so it has to rely on expensive
power resources. It is understood that Zimbabwe has been in a serious power
crisis for a long time, and the power company zesa needs to import power from
Mozambique.
Many enterprises, including miners, are
looking for alternative energy sources such as generators. Due to the rise of
global oil prices, the operating costs of these energy sources are very high.
Zimasco said that although the smelter in Quico was not affected by
electricity, the mining industry was plagued by frequent power outages and had
to use expensive generators to generate electricity where feasible.
So far, the company has increased its
operating capacity in 2022 from two furnaces (50% of operating capacity) in
2021 to three furnaces (75% of operating capacity). The company also plans to
invest nearly $80 million to build a new smelting plant in mberengwa. Under the
condition of full load work, the average annual turnover of ferrochrome will
reach about US $200 million.