Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. OVER 2 000 jobs have been created in phase 1 at Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco), with the figure expected to double in subsequent phases, a Cabinet minister has said.
In 2022, President Emmerson Mnangagwa commissioned the US$1 billion Dinson iron and steel plant, with the integrated steelworks set to produce 600 000 metric tonnes of carbon steel annually, primarily in the form of steel billets and deformed bars.
Speaking during a media tour meant to familiarise and update members of the fourth estate on developments at Dinson, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Jenfan Muswere said mining and steel production prioritises not only the economic aspect, but also the social side, especially for people from the company’s operating area.
“The majority of the youth (in Nyika Vanhu ward) have been employed and at the same time, human capital development is taking place within all the integrated steel works, including the rolling mill plant we have just witnessed,” he said.
Muswere said the majority of employees were Zimbabwean, adding that issues to do with corporate social responsibility and social equity had been addressed.
“At present, Disco employs 2 000 skilled and unskilled workers, with locals being prioritised. At full operational capacity, the project is expected to create up to 25 000 direct jobs and 150 000 indirect jobs, making it one of the largest industrial ventures in the country,” he said.
“The relocation of families within this geographic area has been done extremely well, with the building of modern houses and power units within the particular ward.”
Muswere said the venture would see the lowering of Zimbabwe’s US$1 billion annual steel import bill.
“Our mandate is to inform and educate the nation about ongoing developments and to implement a monitoring and evaluation mechanism in line with what His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, commissioned in 2022 under the ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ mantra,” the Information minister said.
“This integrated approach has significantly reduced the country’s steel import bill, which previously exceeded US$1 billion annually.
“We are now cutting down on our the import bill, thanks to Disco’s capacity to produce high-grade steel domestically.”
Disco project director Wilfred Motsi said the US$800 million investment would fund a new blast furnace, rolling mills and centering plants.
“We must ensure the market can absorb this output before full commitment,” he said.
“Disco has been granted secial economic zone status, which is expected to further boost investment, industrialisation and job creation.
“The expansion aligns with Tsingshan’s broader African strategy, leveraging on Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth (ferrochrome, lithium and coal) to build a vertically integrated supply chain.”
Motsi appealed to government to review the country’s mining policy.
“Like every mining company, we have challenges with the policy or Act of 1997 which is still in use.”
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