Mass production is expected to begin next month at Kiwira coal mine in Tanzania. This is after The Minister for Minerals, Mr. Dotto Biteko announced that major rehabilitation of the mine’s infrastructure is almost complete.
According to the minister, rehabilitation works at the mine which is located at Rungwe District, Mbeya Region are 98% complete. The upgrades will enable the mine to commence mass production of coal of 50,000 tonnes per month starting next month. This will strengthen production and supply of coal and power in the country.
The minister further revealed that the government has taken durable measures to facilitate the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) operate the mine instead of finding new investors. “Once operational, the Kiwira Coal Mine Project will be able to produce 200MW and thus help bolster power supply in the country,” he said.
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The rehabilitation works
Operations at the coal mine in Kiwira were shut down in 2013 and all the workers were laid off to facilitate the rehabilitation works.
Among the ongoing works include rehabilitation of the mine’s roads, restoration of railway lines in the underground mine, water and sewerage systems, as well as systems to transport the coal outside the Mine. The move will stimulate mass production of coal so as to help produce power and other uses.
