In March, the Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries (ZIF) chief operations officer Mr Dosman Mangisi was in Egypt attending a Welding Federation Conference. The WFC brought in different representatives from all over the world and it gave the players an opportunity to deliberate on issues to do with metal casting and relevant technologies.
It is from that engagement that CMRI is seeking to partner with Zimbabwe counterparts.
“CMRDI has huge facilities in the field of casting technology. Casting technology department is considered the biggest unit at CMRDI, where it has a big role in introducing the technical consultation to the most Egyptian foundries. “Therefore, the research team at the casting department gained very good experience through direct contact with industry,” wrote Professor Ibrahim. He added that the department has an experimental foundry, which contains melting induction furnaces with a capacity ranging from 500g to 10kg.
Ziscosteel
“There are also automatic sand lines and heat treatment units. There is a metal analysis laboratory that contains two modern spectroanalysis devices. This laboratory is accredited according to the ISO standard 17025. “We also have some facilities for high pressure die casting and investment casting as well. One of the activities of our department is to carry out training courses on casting technology of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys for technicians and engineers,” he said. In response, Mr Mangisi said the co-operation will have a very huge impact on metal and mineral beneficiation and value addition. “This co-operation will strengthen the two economies, currency and trade within Africa. This will help Africa and Zimbabwe in particular to cut import costs in iron and steel products,” said Mr Mangisi.
“Zimbabwe is well positioned with the Dinson Iron and Steel Company and the resuscitation of Zisco steel and other key players in the local foundry industry and technology which was a missing gap, to revitalise its economy.” The Government has been working on establishing facilities to promote value addition and beneficiation of metals and minerals, and has called upon the private and public sector to come together for the noble cause. This has also resulted in the recent ban on the exportation of raw minerals, including lithium ore and chrome ore. To that end, players in the foundry sector have an opportunity to create partnerships which will result in the establishment of facilities and plants to value add and beneficiate locally available minerals and metals. The sector has the potential to feed into the turnaround of the Zimbabwean economy and other African countries’ economies due to the availability of raw materials including base metals and human resources.
Source: www.chronicle.co.zw
