The year 2024 was truly captivating for the mining community, filled with numerous activities that we experienced together. ZiMining has been a steadfast partner for the mining, construction, engineering, and supporting sectors. We celebrated your successes and shared in the challenges when times were tough.
As we step into this new year, we hope to strengthen our connections and grow together within our industries. The conclusion of 2024 was marked by the Iron and Steel Indaba, hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in collaboration with the Engineering Iron and Steel Association of Zimbabwe and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries in Kwekwe.
This event was fittingly held in Kwekwe, a mining town that was once home to ZISCO Steel, a major iron and steel manufacturer. The indaba focused on the theme: Leveraging the resurgence of Zimbabwe’s Iron and Steel industry. The revival of the steel sector, particularly the resuscitation of ZISCO Steel, was a key topic of discussion.
Brilliant minds from the iron and steel sector gathered to explore ways to revitalise the industry. This isn’t the first time the revival of ZISCO Steel has been discussed, and we are willing to give Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps this time he possesses the Midas touch needed to turn around the fortunes of the once-great iron and steel producer in southern Africa.
Reviving ZISCO Steel would provide a much-needed boost to a sector that has lost at least US$1 billion due to iron and steel imports. This comes at a time when Dinson Iron and Steel Company, the largest iron and steel producer, has resumed operations and is set to reach full capacity this year.
We genuinely believe that efforts should be directed towards revitalising the iron and steel sector, ensuring that indabas like this one are not merely talk shows without tangible outcomes. We look forward to the next event, which has been announced as a permanent feature on our calendar to review the strides made in the efforts to revive the once mighty ZISCO Steel.
Thomas,
Editor, ZiMining
