Breaking News: Tsingshan's 1.2 million-ton steel project in Africa is entering its final phase of large-scale trial operations, as reported by The Herald on June 7, 2024.

The Disco Steel Company, investing $1.5 billion in Zimbabwe, is assuaging public safety concerns while engaging the community in the trial process.

Engineers are hard at work, but the company has noted that the noise from boiler blowing and pipeline cleaning might alarm the unsuspecting public.

During the process, water is boiled to reach the designed pressure and temperature, releasing steam in the process. The trial operation, which began successfully last weekend, paves the way for production next month, positioning Zimbabwe to become one of the largest steel producers in Africa.

So far, the thermal power station and blast furnace have undergone trial operations, and the construction of the substation has been completed. Last week, Disco initiated the lime production device, preparing to power the steel plant.

Joseph Shoko, Public Relations Manager at Disco, stated that community members are confident about the trial operation. "The sound we are hearing is like that of a jet fighter – very loud. Initially, workers and community members were curious, but now they have become accustomed to it after several days."

Shoko emphasized that boiler debugging and testing are crucial for troubleshooting any obstacles or abnormalities.

Dosman Mangisi, Chief Operating Officer of the Zimbabwe Foundry Association, hailed the power supply to the Manize Steel Plant as a great milestone, indicating that the country is achieving its strategic goals to revitalize the national economy.

The Manize Steel Plant is expected to become one of the largest integrated steel plants in Africa, owned by Disco, a subsidiary of Tsingshan Holdings Group Limited in Africa.

Tsingshan also owns the Dinsen coal mine and a ferrochrome plant in North Matabeleland Hwange; Selous Afro Smelting Co., Ltd.

This substantial investment positions Zimbabwe among the global steel manufacturing hubs, with forecasts showing the country's potential to become a powerhouse in the future steel industry.

Disco is expected to produce 600,000 tons of products in the first phase, increasing to 1.2 million tons in the second phase, then to 3.2 million tons in the third phase, and ultimately producing 5 million tons annually in the final phase, earning Zimbabwe millions of dollars in foreign exchange.

The new steel plant's production is expected to increase to 3.2 million tons in the third phase and to 5 million tons annually in the final phase, providing a wide range of products for Zimbabwe's industry, with the project directly employing 10,000 people.