A foreign company Prestige Massive (Pvt) Limited's mega double generators coal-fired power and chrome smelting plant is taking shape in Beitbridge in what observers say will change the fortunes of the border town.
Abnormal load haulage delivery trucks have been seen bringing in equipment from various seaports to the plant where at least 300 villagers are currently employed.
The company will employ more people amid revelations that it is scouting for between 80 and 100 skilled workers.
The power plant was only publicly spoken about only two weeks ago at the Matabeleland South Diaspora Conference in Beitbridge.
The mega plant will feed from Tuli Coal, a mine about 20 kilometres west of Beitbridge as well as other factories that may be set up under the special economic zone.
According to the Global Energy Monitor, plans for the plant went into the public domain in November 2023 when a proposal to construct, own and operate the power and smelting plant at River Ranch just outside Beitbridge town was advertised.
“All electricity generated would be supplied to a chrome smelting plant belonging to Prestige Massive which was proposing a special economic zone in Beitbridge. Prestige had filed an application for an electricity generation license with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority,” an extract of Global Energy Monitor report on the plant said.
Although the report says as of May 2024 there were no apparent updates related to the project, a capital outlay for the project was put at several millions of dollars making it arguably one of the biggest investments in Matabeleland South to date.
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A government official speaking on conditions of anonymity said lots of money for the project was moving around.
“There is towering infrastructure now seen from a long distance; there is activity of a huge scale. And just recently, there were interviews for skilled posts attended by about 70 hopefuls,” said the official.
“Locals from Beitbridge have been engaged as unskilled labour joining many Chinese nationals on site. There is remarkable activity.”
The project is being undertaken in three phases.
The completion of Tuli Coal mine was part of the first stage of the project.
“The resuscitation of the coal mine will not be a stand-alone project and so it will feed and power the thermal plant and establishment of the smelting plant becoming second while the third stage will be the commercialisation of the plant,” said the official.
“What is under construction now is the thermal plant and huge installations, I believe are coolers, are in place.
“From information at hand, there will be ferrochrome and steel production with raw material sourced from mines in Mberengwa, Gwanda and other nearby mines.”
Beitbridge residents are excited about the development.
“This development will bring movement in the town and influence growth and increased business transactions in the commercial and retail sector. We hope this company will also consider building accommodation for its workers in the town to spread development,” Beitbridge town clerk Loud Ramakgapola said.
Zanu PF lawmaker Albert Nguluvhe said the development showed that no place is being left behind.
“The development anywhere in Beitbridge or Zimbabwe is good and shows the government is keeping its promise that no place will be left behind. We hope the company engages more locals in the general labour positions,” said Nguluvhe.
