By Chipo Gudhe
Ziscosteel, the renowned steel manufacturing company based in Redcliff, has unveiled its plan to produce decarbonised steel. This innovative move comes as part of Ziscosteel’s commitment to reducing pollution and minimizing the environmental impact associated with traditional steel production processes.
The company’s Board Chairperson Engineer Martin Manuhwa in an interview today at the sidelines of a visit of the steel giant by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said they are determined to ensure Ziscosteel sits at the forefront of sustainable practices.
“What we want to do is to work with what we call green steel then it means we have to use carbon and emit less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. There are better fuels nowadays like hydrogen and even more efficient ways in terms of the smelting technology we are going to use and also the blast furnacing system so it’s a whole integrated system that is worked out such that our carbon footprint for the new Zisco is very low,” he said.
Manuhwa emphasised the significance of adopting environmentally friendly methods in steel production.
“Reducing the carbon emissions is one of our key considerations, we have to be people centred, people oriented, climate and planet conscious so that we do not pollute,” he said.
Manuhwa said Ziscosteel through its partner Kuvimba Mining House is currently conducting research and development feasibility studies, collaborating with experts and technology providers to minimize pollution.
“The carbon emissions reduction will be compared with a baseline and all those studies will come out in detail but we want to meet international benchmarks,” he said.
Kuvimba was appointed by the government to oversee the resuscitation of Zisco with a capital injection of US$300 million for the rebuilding of the steelworks.
Ziscosteel’s intent to produce decarbonised steel aligns with global efforts to transition to cleaner and greener technologies. Governments worldwide have been pushing for sustainable practices in various industries, including steel production, to combat climate change and reduce pollution. The company which stopped operations in 2008 was one of the largest consumers of coal a traditional carbon intensive energy source flagged with high carbon dioxide emissions, a primary contributor to global warming.
