Zimbabwe has several limestone deposits that are mined for various industrial uses, including cement production, agricultural lime, and construction materials. Here are some key limestone mining areas and companies in Zimbabwe:
Major Limestone Mines in Zimbabwe
1. Mberengwa (Belingwe) Limestone Deposits
– Located in the Mberengwa District, these deposits are significant for cement production.
– Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe (now Khayah Cement) sources limestone from this area for its Manresa Plant near Harare.
2. Masvingo Limestone Deposits
– The Ripple Creek Mine near Masvingo is a major source of limestone used by PPC Zimbabwe (Pretoria Portland Cement) for its Colleen Bawn Plant.
– This deposit supplies high-quality limestone for cement manufacturing.
3. Chirundu Limestone Deposits
– Found near the Zambezi Valley, these deposits are used for agricultural lime and construction.
4. Gweru Limestone Deposits
– The area around Gweru has limestone reserves used in local construction and agriculture.
5. Chinhoyi & Chegutu Limestone Deposits
– These deposits support small-scale lime production for farming and building materials.
Key Companies Mining Limestone in Zimbabwe
– PPC Zimbabwe (Colleen Bawn Plant) – One of the largest cement producers, using limestone from Masvingo.
– Khayah Cement (formerly Lafarge Zimbabwe) – Operates the Manresa plant with limestone from Mberengwa.
– ZimPhos (Zimbabwe Phosphates Industries) – Produces agricultural lime from some deposits.
– Small-scale miners also extract limestone for local use in construction and soil conditioning.
Uses of Limestone in Zimbabwe
– Cement manufacturing (major use)
– Agricultural lime to neutralize acidic soils
– Construction aggregates & building stones
– Industrial applications like steel production
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