Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo has said Zimbabwe is open to welcoming investment in coal production from the United States, following Washington’s reversal of its long-standing opposition to fossil fuels.
The U.S. recently shifted its energy policy, seeking partnerships with African nations to boost coal production.
Speaking at the high-level Powering Africa Summit in Washington on Friday, Moyo encouraged the U.S. private sector to invest directly in Zimbabwe’s coal industry. He said:
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… our plea, again to the United States as Zimbabwe: release your private sector so that they can invest directly into Zimbabwe, and we have created an environment where they will earn money because their investment will be guaranteed.
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Moyo said Zimbabwe’s abundant coal and coalbed methane resources could also play a major role in supporting the agriculture industry. He said:
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Power generation could be one aspect. We are an agricultural country, we want our fertilisers, so (with) any investment in that coalbed methane gas, we could end up doing our fertilisers, which we are importing right now, and as a country that believes very strongly in agriculture, that would be a good investment.
So, coal with methane gas is abundant in most areas in Zimbabwe, in the north and in the south of Zimbabwe, like the Chiredzi area.
</blockquote>
He said Zimbabwe has opened its doors to independent power producers, allowing companies to use thermal power for their operations and contribute any surplus to the national grid.

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Zimbabwe's Energy Minister, July Moyo, wants American companies to invest in Zimbabwe's coal industry because the United States is now supporting fossil fuels. He says the investment is guaranteed to make money. Zimbabwe has lots of coal and methane gas that can help with agriculture. The country can use these resources to make fertilizers instead of importing them. Moyo also said Zimbabwe is welcoming companies to use thermal power and share extra electricity with the country. Zimbabwe is asking for help from the U.S. private sector to boost the coal sector and support agriculture.

Energy Minister Moyo Encourages U.S. Private Sector To Invest In Zimbabwe's Coal Sector

Two well-diggers died in a suspected case of gas inhalation while working in a 25-meter-deep well in Jotsholo, Matabeleland North Province.
Their bodies were retrieved from the well by the Bulawayo Fire Brigade on Tuesday.
Mhlangano Moyo, the chief fire officer of the Bulawayo Fire Brigade, confirmed this to the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/two-jotsholo-men-die-of-gas-inhalation-while-digging-water-well/">Chronicle</a>, saying his team was called to assist a group from Hwange that faced challenges in retrieving the bodies due to limited resources. He said:
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The Bulawayo Fire Brigade conducted a rescue operation in Jotsholo to retrieve the bodies of two male adults who succumbed to gas fumes while deepening a 25-metre well.
The information we have is that the first male adult went down into the well and after a while requested help citing poor air flow.
The second man followed into the well and unfortunately also became a victim of similar circumstances of gas inhalation.
The Hwange team that was initially summoned to attend the scene roped in the Bulawayo Fire Brigade for assistance as they had limited resources to carry out the rescue mission.
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Moyo warned community members in the Jotsholo and Lupane areas to remain vigilant against underground gases when digging wells. He said:
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The Lupane and Jotsholo areas have methane gases underground and communities in those areas are advised to hire drilling companies as opposed to digging wells on their own.
This is the fourth incident that has been recorded in those areas this year and there is a need for awareness campaigns to educate community members on the dangers of underground gases.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is experiencing one of the worst droughts in living memory and this has led to rivers and dams drying up, forcing people to dig deeper to find water as the water table recedes.
As more people rely on the same water sources, the demand increases, leading to the depletion of these sources.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two men died in Jotsholo while digging a well because of gas. Firefighters had to help get the bodies out of the well. The first man went down into the well and couldn't breathe. The second man went down to help and also got sick from the gas. The firefighters say the area has dangerous gases underground. They warn people to be careful when digging wells. This is the fourth incident this year. Zimbabwe is having a big drought and people are digging deeper for water. This is making the water sources run out faster.

Two Men Die Of Gas Inhalation While Digging Water Well In Jotsholo

The government of Zimbabwe has initiated a review of Exclusive Prospecting Orders (EPOs) granted to investors three years ago for coal-bed methane exploration to evaluate their commitment to these projects.
Holders of EPOs enjoy exclusive rights to explore and potentially extract minerals within designated areas, which prevents other entities from engaging in similar activities.
EPOs are typically granted for a specific duration and may be renewed based on the holder’s adherence to regulatory requirements.
In 2021, the government issued five EPOs to investors interested in coal-bed methane, including Alabara Resources, Sakunda Energy, Tumagole of South Africa, Zambezi Gas, and Shangani Energy Exploration.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/govt-starts-reviewing-epos-for-coal-bed-methane/">The Herald</a> on Friday, Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura said that various factors would be considered when evaluating the approval or rejection of an EPO. He said:
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So, we will be looking at all those issues (such as) do (holders) have the capacity? Have they done similar work elsewhere? Do they work in other EPOs in the country because we do not want people to just hold for speculation.
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Methane is extensively utilised as a fuel for heating and electricity generation, as well as a raw material in the production of various chemicals, such as ammonia for fertilizers.
Zimbabwe is believed to have significant reserves of untapped coal-bed methane (CBM), particularly in the Matabeleland North region.
The Lupane and Hwange districts are estimated to contain over 800 million cubic meters of CBM per square kilometre.
Moreover, additional studies indicate that Zimbabwe may possess more than 40 trillion cubic feet of potentially recoverable gas in the Lubimbi area of Lupane. This untapped resource presents substantial opportunities for energy development in the country.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government of Zimbabwe is checking if companies are serious about exploring coal-bed methane. They gave exclusive rights to some companies but want to make sure they are doing the work. Coal-bed methane is used for heating and making electricity. Zimbabwe has a lot of untapped coal-bed methane, especially in the Matabeleland North region. It is a big opportunity for energy development in the country. Holders of Exclusive Prospecting Orders (EPOs) need to show they can do the job and not just hold for speculation. Methane is important for making chemicals like fertilizers.

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