Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco Steel) has launched a 50MW power plant to achieve energy self-sufficiency and decrease the company’s dependence on the national grid.
The Manhize Steel Plant is currently consuming 28MW, with plans for the remaining capacity to be synchronized into the national grid soon.
The development was announced during a tour of the Dinson Iron and Steel Plant in Manhize by Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo, Permanent Secretary Gloria Magombo, and other senior government officials.
After touring the company, Minister Moyo said that he was impressed by the steps taken by the company to meet its energy needs. He said (via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/dinson-commissions-50mw-power-plant/">The Herald</a>):
<blockquote>
I think the critical thing to understand is that Manhize is generating its power. Right now they are producing up to 50MW and they are using about 28MW.
So the balance is what they are now working on synchronising with ZETDC so that it goes back to the grid and they can sell power to augment our power in the system.
We will soon benefit a lot of power from Manhize. We are here to appreciate what Manhize is doing in terms of power generation, in terms of producing their power.
</blockquote>
Moyo urged other energy-intensive companies to follow Dinson Iron and Steel Company’s example by investing in power generation, which could lower their operational costs and help bridge the power supply-demand gap.
Dinson’s projects director, Wilfred Motsi, said that while the plant can produce approximately 50MW, current utilisation is around 24MW due to the ongoing construction phase. 
The company is expanding its power generation capacity with a new 20MW installation at the Manhize plant, which will increase the total output to 70MW.
Dinson Iron and Steel Company’s 50MW power plant utilises advanced heat exchange technology to generate electricity.
The process starts with coal combustion in a Circulating Fluidised Bed (CFB) boiler, which offers high efficiency, low maintenance costs, and reduced emissions.
The heat generated from the CFB boiler is used to produce high-pressure steam, which drives turbines at 3000 rpm to generate 50MW of electricity.
The facility captures waste heat and combustible gases from the blast furnace and Basic Oxygen Furnace to produce electricity.
This eco-friendly approach leverages waste energy from existing industrial processes, thereby reducing the company’s carbon footprint and overall environmental impact.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

A company called Disco Steel has made a power plant that can make 50MW of electricity. This will help the company use less power from the national grid. The government is happy about this because it will help with the power supply. The company is also planning to expand the power plant to make even more electricity. The power plant is eco-friendly and uses waste energy to make electricity. This helps reduce pollution and is good for the environment. Other companies are encouraged to invest in their power generation too.

Disco Steel Unveils 50MW Power Plant

Villagers in Manhize, Mvuma, reportedly staged a protest against Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Discosteel), on Friday, 14 June, over alleged degrading treatment including the arbitrary acquisition of their farmland without compensation.
As reported by The <a href="https://x.com/NewsHawksLive/status/1801590957613195373">NewsHawks</a>, the villagers blocked Dinson trucks on Friday afternoon. They were also complaining of hunger and dust pollution.
According to the report, villagers from the Mushenjere area of Manhize, who are settled at Inhoek Farm in Mvuma, say they are facing displacement from land they have occupied for more than 40 years.
Communities in Chivhu and Mvuma, particularly those relocated to pave the way for the establishment of Disco’s US$1.5 billion steel plant, claim their standards of living have deteriorated.
According to a governance watchdog, the Centre for Research and Development (CRD), since 2021, more than 100 families from Manhize’s Mushenjere Village have lost their land to Disco’s operations, with the villagers, once self-sufficient, now unable to produce enough food. It said:
<blockquote>
The conditions of living on the land outlined in their permits rest solely at the discretion of the minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement.
Thus the minister ‘may for any public purpose reverse this permit at any time and under such conditions as he thinks fit on payment of the holder of such compensation the minister may decide.
</blockquote>
On Wednesday, 12 June, Discosteel fired up its blast furnace at Manhize, marking the start of pig iron production at the plant.
The company expects to produce 600,000 tonnes of steel products annually at the peak of its first phase of production.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Villagers Block Discosteel Trucks In Protest Over "Degrading Treatment"

Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Discosteel) on Wednesday, 12 June, fired up its blast furnace at Manhize, near Mvuma, marking the start of pig iron production at the plant.
The company expects to produce 600,000 tonnes of steel products annually at the peak of its first phase of production. Discosteel said:
<blockquote>
Exciting News! On the afternoon of June 12, 2024, DISCOSTEEL’s blast furnace has successfully begun pig iron production!
</blockquote>
Pig iron, also referred to as crude iron, is an intermediate product used in the iron industry for steel production. It is created by smelting iron ore in a blast furnace.
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GP4b5YGWgAAlf6B?format=jpg&amp;name=4096x4096"/>
Last month, Dinson project director Wilfred Motsi told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/manhize-steel-plant-to-undergo-test-runs/">State media</a> that both the construction of the US$1.5 billion plant and the electricity transmission line from Sherwood in Kwekwe to Manhize had been completed.
Dinson, one of the three local subsidiaries of China’s Tsingshan Holdings Limited, plans to produce 600,000 tonnes of steel in the first phase, which would rise to 1.2 million tonnes in the second phase.
The group’s other two subsidiaries in Zimbabwe are Afrochine Smelting in Selous, Mashonaland West Province and Dinson Colliery in Hwange, Matabeleland North Province.
Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries (ZIF) chief operating officer Dosman Mangisi said the opening of the Dinson steel plant will have a positive impact on the resuscitation of the local engineering, iron and steel sector. Said Mangisi:
<blockquote>
The commencement of operations at the steel plant will definitely yield a major impact and change to the local industry, which at the moment is grappling with the shortage of raw materials and the knock-on effect has depressed production by companies in the engineering, iron and steel sectors including foundries.
A proclamation has already been made that the Manhize steel plant construction is complete and as players in the foundry sector, we are geared to tap into the opportunities presented by the operationalization of that plant.
Commencement of production at the Dinson Iron and Steel Company’s plant will see all sectors particularly those in the engineering, iron and steel industry improving their production levels as raw materials will be easily accessible and competitive- unlike the current scenario where most of our players are importing.
</blockquote>
The output at the steel plant is expected to rise to 3.2 million in the third phase and ultimately five million tonnes annually in the final phase.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Discosteel Commences Iron Production At Manhize Plant

Dinson Iron and Steel Company plans to begin test runs for its steel plant in Manhize, near Mvuma, next month following the completion of the construction of the US$1.5 billion plant.
Dinson project director Wilfred Motsi told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/manhize-steel-plant-to-undergo-test-runs/">The Herald</a> that they expect the test run to be done this month before production begins in June. He said:
<blockquote>
Production is planned to commence in June as construction of the plant has been completed and the electricity transmission line from Sherwood in Kwekwe to Manhize has been completed.
All things being equal, we expect a test run to be conducted anytime this month before the first production begins in June.
</blockquote>
Dinson, one of the three local subsidiaries of China’s Tsingshan Holdings Limited, plans to produce 600,000 tonnes of steel in the first phase, which would rise to 1.2 million tonnes in the second phase.
The group’s other two subsidiaries in Zimbabwe are Afrochine Smelting in Selous, Mashonaland West Province and Dinson Colliery in Hwange, Matabeleland North Province.
Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries (ZIF) chief operating officer Dosman Mangisi said the opening of the Dinson steel plant will have a positive impact on the resuscitation of the local engineering, iron and steel sector. Said Mangisi:
<blockquote>
The commencement of operations at the steel plant will definitely yield a major impact and change to the local industry, which at the moment is grappling with the shortage of raw materials and the knock-on effect has depressed production by companies in the engineering, iron and steel sectors including foundries.
A proclamation has already been made that the Manhize steel plant construction is complete and as players in the foundry sector, we are geared to tap into the opportunities presented by the operationalization of that plant.
Commencement of production at the Dinson Iron and Steel Company’s plant will see all sectors particularly those in the engineering, iron and steel industry improving their production levels as raw materials will be easily accessible and competitive- unlike the current scenario where most of our players are importing.
</blockquote>
The output at the steel plant is expected to rise to 3.2 million in the third phase and ultimately five million tonnes annually in the final phase.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Manhize Steel Plant Set To Undergo Test Runs

A ZESA Holdings official stated that the parastatal is actively engaging with mining companies, particularly those in the ferrochrome sector, to encourage them to generate their own electricity.
According to Eliab Chikwenhere, the acting Chief Executive Officer of ZESA Holdings, electricity consumption is projected to nearly double in the upcoming year, reaching a peak demand of 3,500MW.
This surge is attributed to the establishment of new and expanding mines, as well as the growing number of houses connected to the grid.
During his appearance before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy and Power Development on Tuesday, March 19, Chikwenhere emphasized that mining companies should take responsibility for generating their own power. He said (<a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/mines-urged-to-build-power-stations-as-demand-doubles/">via The Herald</a>):
<blockquote>
With the increase in demand from the current 1 950MW and taking into account the new applications we have received, especially in the mining sector, in the coming year, we expect the figure will encroach 3 500 MW…
We are discussing with mining companies, especially in the ferrochrome sector that they have to generate their own power.
</blockquote>
ZESA Holdings and Dinson Holdings, which is developing an iron and steel plant near Mvuma, have signed a tariff agreement.
Under this agreement, ZESA will supply subsidised electricity to Dinson in exchange for the construction of three renewable energy plants by the iron and steel company.
Dinson’s renewable energy projects include a 100MW solar plant at its ferrochrome smelting plant in Selous, another 100MW station powered by wind energy at Manhize, and 70MW from waste heat generated at the iron and steel plant
The primary use of this electricity will be at the US$1.5 billion iron and steel plant, which is set to be commissioned in January.
Caledonia Mining, a gold-producing company, has constructed a 12MW solar power plant at its Blanket Mine in Gwanda.
Golden Valley Mine is currently in the process of building a 7MW solar power plant at its gold mine in Kadoma.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA Urges Mines To Build Own Power Stations

Power utility ZESA Holdings is utilising a huge chunk of its resources to import power from neighbouring countries, with the import bill ballooning to US$250 million a year.
Local businesses and residents of affluent suburbs have been forced to use backup diesel generators due to power blackouts.
ZESA Holdings’ power generation unit, the Zimbabwe Power Company, generates about 1 500 megawatts per day, against a national demand of at least 1 800MW.
In order to cover the shortfall ZESA imports from South Africa’s power utility Eskom, Hydro Cahora Bassa of Mozambique, and from Zambia.
Speaking during the signing of an MoU between ZESA Enterprises and Chinese firm Dinson Iron and Steel Company, ZESA executive chairman Sydney Gata said the power utility was spending too much on power imports. Gata said, as quoted by <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/zesa-fret-over-hefty-import-bill/">Business Times</a>:
<blockquote>
We are spending too much. In one year we spent a quarter of a billion dollars but I am pleased to say that our government is aware of the challenges and we are working on initiatives that will bring an end to our challenges.
</blockquote>
Turning to the deal with Dinson Iron and Steel Company, which is constructing a US$1.5 billion steel manufacturing plant in Manhize near Mvuma, Gata said the power utility will be able to acquire steel products locally. He said:
<blockquote>
In terms of the agreement, we will provide steel products for use in infrastructure with the most notable being transmission towers and steel used for power transmission infrastructure.
We have been importing this from China, Japan, India and sometimes also from South Africa. We will make them here in Zimbabwe and we are grateful for this game-changer.
Steel is a major part of the transformation of any economy for the good of the nation as a whole.
</blockquote>
ZESA Enterprises Managing Director Godfrey Mugaviri signed on behalf of the power utility.
Dinson Iron and Steel company chairman Benson Xu said:
<blockquote>
To me the most important things are steel and power, that is electricity. Without electricity and steel, there is no vision to talk about.
Vision 2030 mainly talks about industrialisation and it is all about power and steel at the end of the day.
I am happy our company is part of the journey to achieve that. I am happy we are strengthening relations between ZESA Enterprises to achieve the targets of that vision together.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA "Spending Too Much" On Power Imports, Says Gata

The Government has approved a plan for the development of a new town between Mvuma-Chivhu and Manhize in the Midlands Province where the US$1.5 billion integrated iron and steel plant being constructed in Mvuma by Chinese firm Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco).
The new town will be established for about 30 000 residents and the site plan will be made public soon, reported the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/new-city-for-30-000-residents-on-the-cards/">Chronicle</a>.
In an interview on the sidelines of a tour of the construction site by industrialists and banks on Friday, project director Wilfred Motsi said:
<blockquote>
We are working closely with the Government, especially the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works who are working on the plan for the development of the new town. The site plan has been approved.
We should start construction and we need stakeholders such as industrialists and banks to come on board so that we can develop the new city.
</blockquote>
Motsi said Disco owns part of the land on which the new city would be developed while the other belongs to Chirumhanzu Rural District Council.
Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries chief operating officer Dosman Mangisi said:
<blockquote>
The physical planning department in the Ministry of Local Government has since visited the site and approved the new town plans. Zimbabwe will never be the same again.
Looking into this big picture, you need to picture Redcliff town which was born out of Ziscosteel, but this new town will actually be threefold.
In fact, it will be a big city and we will have banks, schools, recreational facilities, hospitals, and a lot of companies including industries around steel mining.
</blockquote>
Chakunda Garainashe who was representing POSB Bank said:
<blockquote>
We are seeing a lot of potential for us as a bank and we want to be actively involved in the development and growth of this town because there is a huge opportunity for everyone.
We have a whole new town to be constructed and our focus is to bank all Disco’s stakeholders, and this company will create value chain benefits and stakeholders will benefit.
</blockquote>
The Manhize Iron and Steel Plant is expected to be one of the largest steel plants in Africa.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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