By Flata Kavinga
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has urged explosives manufacturer Intrachem to strengthen collaboration with local tertiary institutions to boost research and production of explosives for Zimbabwe’s growing mining sector.
Speaking to journalists after touring the company’s operations in Kwekwe, the Vice President said partnerships with Kwekwe Polytechnic and Midlands State University would help the company expand its capacity and develop explosives suited to different mining conditions.
Chiwenga said the initiative would support the country’s efforts to meet rising demand for explosives and reduce reliance on imports.
“Mining is one of the sectors anchoring our economy and it requires explosives to extract minerals underground,” he said. “What we were producing locally has not been sufficient, and we have been importing the rest.”
He said discussions with company officials revealed that production was still below national demand but noted that the firm had made encouraging progress.
“I was quite amazed by the development being led by the young team here,” Chiwenga said.
The Vice President said closer cooperation with local academic institutions would allow the company to tap into research and technical expertise to develop a wider range of explosives.
“We have encouraged them to work hand in glove with the technical college here in Kwekwe and also with Midlands State University in the development of their explosives so that they can produce different types suited for various situations,” he said.
VP Chiwenga added that increased local production could eventually eliminate the need for imports.
“If the plans they have are implemented, we should be able to stop importing explosives,” he said.
He also noted that the growth of industries linked to mining could further strengthen the sector.
Dr Chiwenga said developments at Sable Chemicals, which is expected to resume ammonium nitrate production later this year, would complement explosives manufacturing and support mining activities.
The Vice President said government ministries, particularly Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, would play a key role in supporting research and innovation in the sector.
The Vice President is in the Midlands province on a tour focusing on key sectors of the economy, including mining, agriculture and tourism.
