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A colossal US$2.5 billion mineral processing hub, spearheaded by local firm Bernard Development Corporation, is poised to dramatically reshape the economic landscapes of both Zimbabwe and Botswana, promising thousands of jobs and a significant boost to regional beneficiation efforts.
This ambitious undertaking, a collaborative effort with the University of Zimbabwe and Young Achievers Trust, will see the establishment of cutting-edge processing facilities in Redcliff, Zimbabwe’s Zibagwe Rural District, and Francistown, Botswana. At its core, the project will feature a state-of-the-art steel plant, a blast furnace for pig iron production, and vital inland dry ports to streamline trade and logistics across borders.
The initiative is a significant validation of President Mnangagwa’s “Second Republic” vision, which has aggressively courted foreign and domestic investment since 2018. Mining, agriculture, tourism, and energy have been key beneficiaries of this transformed investment climate, aligning with the President’s election promise of widespread job creation.
Bernard Mutanga, CEO of Bernard Development Corporation, confirmed that engagement with the Botswana government, through the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), is already well underway. A high-level delegation from Botswana, comprising officials from BITC, the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC), and the Minerals Development Company Botswana (MDCB), is currently in Zimbabwe to finalise arrangements and inspect the designated project sites.
Central to Mutanga’s audacious vision is the Bern-Win Utopia Eco-Smart City, strategically located within Zimbabwe’s “golden triangle” – the economic powerhouse bordered by Kwekwe, Gweru, and Mvuma. This ambitious eco-city is designed to house approximately 400,000 residents, with the potential to accommodate over two million people. Plans include a dedicated airport, high-end executive villas, a modern hospital, and extensive recreational amenities, including a game reserve.
“The residents will primarily be employees from the Ber-Pig Iron and Steel Company and Ber-Minerals Resources Company,” Mutanga explained, painting a picture of a self-sustaining urban centre built around the industrial hub.
Beyond steel, the project will also delve into the critical production of soda ash, an essential ingredient for both steel processing and glass manufacturing. This move could signal a vibrant revitalisation for Zimbabwe’s dormant glass industry, including the potential resurrection of operations like Zim-Glass in Gweru. “We are already in talks with various stakeholders regarding the production of soda ash,” Mutanga revealed. Furthermore, the hub will source coking coal from Gwayi, Matabeleland North, to fuel essential coke production for its steel manufacturing processes.
The visiting Botswana delegation is slated to meet with local officials from the Zibagwe, Chirumanzu, and Vungu rural district councils. These discussions are crucial for ensuring the technical aspects of associated rural development projects are aligned, aiming to extend the economic benefits to surrounding communities.
As the project takes shape, it is expected to breathe new life into industries that suffered in the wake of ZISCO’s closure, including Sable Chemical Industries Limited and Lancashire Steel. This landmark development is being hailed as a significant stride towards the economic recovery and growth championed by the Second Republic.
With strategic partnerships and a steadfast commitment to sustainable development, Bernard Mutanga’s vision appears poised to usher in a new era of prosperity for both nations. “This project is crucial for the economic future of our countries,” he asserted, underscoring its profound importance as one of the most significant economic undertakings in the region’s recent history.
