4.3.2025
20:12
Beijing
is
betting
on
resources,
labour
and
long
ties
to
makes
Zimbabwe
a
major
steel
hub,
and
a
strategic
foothold
in
the
region,
experts
say
In
Beitbridge,
a
border
town
in
southern
Zimbabwe,
a
mega
industrial
park
that
will
eventually
produce
electricity,
chromium-based
materials
and
steel
products
is
taking
shape
amid
a
major
minerals
rush
in
the
southern
African
nation.
The
US$3.6
billion
plan
to
build
Palm
River
Energy
Metallurgical
Industrial
Park
in
the
province
of
Matabeleland
South
is
being
led
by
one
Chinese
firm
–
Xinganglian
(Shanxi)
Holding
Group,
which
aims
to
exploit
abundant
reserves
of
coal,
iron
ore,
and
chrome
and
position
Zimbabwe
as
a
major
steel
producer.
The
project
will
cover
5,163
hectares
(12,758
acres)
within
a
special
economic
zone
incorporating
mining,
power
generation,
coke
production
and
steel
manufacturing.
It
is
expected
to
be
built
in
five
phases
over
12
years.
has
become
a
key
resource
destination
for
China
as
companies
continue
to
seal
deals
to
establish
mineral
processing
operations,
including
steel
plants,
at
a
time
when
such
industries
face
decline
in
other
countries,
such
as
neighbouring South
Africa.
The
scope
of
the
investments
suggested
that
China
had
chosen
Zimbabwe
as
its
inaugural
steel
and
chrome
industrialisation
zone
in
Africa,
according
to
Lauren
Johnston,
a
China-Africa
specialist
and
associate
professor
at
the
University
of
Sydney’s
China
Studies
Centre.
“This
makes
sense.
Zimbabwe
has
a
rich
human
capital
and
natural
resource
endowment,”
Johnston
said.
Post
published
in:
Business