NRZ Seeks To Revive Rail With Mining-Focused Expansion Plan

The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has unveiled a long-term plan to build a nationwide network of mineral logistics hubs and new rail links to support the country’s expanding mining sector.

Spokesperson Andrew Kunambura said bringing rail infrastructure closer to mines will reduce transport costs and improve the competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s mineral exports.

“NRZ has plans to bring rail heads closer to major mines to cut down transport costs and improve competitiveness,” said Kunambura.

“New rail routes will be constructed to new major mining centres, and these include construction of a rail link from Mutoko to Moatize in Mozambique and from Inthundla to Redcliff.

“The West Nicholson initiative is just the beginning. More such hubs will be set up so that lithium is transported by rail.

“The hubs will be set up at Zvishavane (Sandawana Lithium and Bikita Minerals), Dete (Kamativi Lithium), Shangani (Zulu Mine Lithium) and Goromonzi (Prospect Lithium).”

Kunambura said the success of the West Nicholson project shows growing confidence by mining companies in rail transport.

He said the initiative will also boost freight volumes for railway operators, including Bulawayo-Beitbridge Railway (BBR), the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and Mozambique’s CFM (Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique), as it has generated new business for them.

“It is also a major milestone because it will help preserve roads from damage by haulage trucks carrying heavy cargo. By moving 1 000 tonnes of lithium by rail, an equivalent of 33 haulage trucks have been removed from our roads,” said Kunambura.

He said work to upgrade the Machipanda-Harare section is currently in progress.

“Plans are underway to upgrade the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls section with support from the Mutapa Investment Fund and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development so that bulk cargo presently ferried by road, especially coal and coke, switches to rail to save the road from damage,” Kunambura added.

The NRZ said it is also engaging Dinson Iron and Steel Company on plans to extend the railway line from Mvuma to the Manhize steel plant.

The announcement follows the launch of a new rail export corridor linking Gwanda Lithium Mine to the Port of Maputo, a development that is expected to boost mineral export logistics and support the revival of rail transport.

In partnership with Bulawayo-Beitbridge Railway (BBR), the NRZ recently dispatched its first train carrying 1,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate from the newly commissioned US$1.5 million West Nicholson rail siding.

Under the arrangement, BBR transports the concentrate about 180km from Gwanda to Beitbridge before handing it over to NRZ, which hauls it to Chicualacuala in Mozambique.

From there, Mozambique’s CFM (Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique) moves the consignment to the Port of Maputo for export via the Maputo Development Corridor.

The project forms part of broader efforts to shift bulk mineral cargo from road to rail, to lower logistics costs, reduce damage to roads and improve the efficiency of Zimbabwe’s mineral export value chain.

More: Chronicle