Coal in Hwange was first discovered in 1893 and was referred to by local communities as “the rock that burns.” Formal mining activities began in 1902, marking the birth of what would become Zimbabwe’s flagship coal mining enterprise.
In its early years, coal was transported by ox-drawn wagons. This changed in 1903 with the construction of the railway line from Bulawayo to Hwange, significantly enhancing distribution capacity and enabling production growth. Mining operations during this period were predominantly underground, utilising the pillar mining hand-got system, while opencast mining remained limited and supplementary.
As demand for coal increased, the Company expanded its underground operations. No. 2 Colliery (Kamandama Shaft) was commissioned in 1927, followed by No. 3 Colliery in 1953, significantly boosting output. However, operational challenges led to the decommissioning of No. 1 Colliery in 1961. In 1972, the Company experienced one of the most tragic events in its history-the Kamandama disaster-which resulted in the closure of No. 2 Shaft.
To restore production capacity, No. 4 Colliery was commissioned in 1976. Around the same period, the Company initiated opencast mining operations to meet growing coal demand. The commissioning of the Hwange Thermal Power Station further accelerated demand, leading to the establishment of large-scale opencast mining operations in 1982.
Over the decades, Hwange Colliery Company Limited evolved from a single-commodity mining entity into a diversified holding company with strategic investments across multiple sectors, including energy, agriculture, real estate, healthcare, and financial services. The Company has continuously modernised its operations through investment in mining equipment, strategic partnerships, and operational restructuring initiatives.
Today, HCCL Holdings remains a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s energy sector, committed to ensuring reliable coal supply to domestic and regional markets while driving industrial growth and socio-economic development.
Our Footprint: Key Milestones
1897 – Commencement of official prospecting and surveying of coal deposits in the Hwange District.
1899 – Registration of The Wankie (Rhodesia) Coal, Railway and Exploration Company.
1902 – First coal reached at No. 1 Colliery (main incline shaft).
1903 – First coal consignment transported by rail to Bulawayo.
1909 – Reconstitution into Wankie Colliery Company Limited; production exceeds 250,000 tonnes annually.
1927 – Commissioning of No. 2 Colliery (Kamandama Shaft).
1949 – Government adopts Wankie Coal Commission recommendations for capital investment.
1950 – Powell Duffryn Limited assumes operational control and initiates expansion.
1953 – Anglo American Corporation takes over; No. 3 Colliery commissioned.
1957 – Production reaches 4 million tonnes.
1958 – Company listed on Rhodesia, Johannesburg, and London Stock Exchanges.
1961 – Decommissioning of No. 1 Colliery.
1972 – Kamandama disaster claims 427 lives; No. 2 Shaft closed.
1976 – Commissioning of No. 4 Colliery; introduction of opencast mining.
1980 – Decommissioning of No. 4 Colliery due to adverse ground conditions.
1982 – Commissioning of large-scale opencast operations and Hwange Thermal Power Station.
1983 – Government of Zimbabwe acquires a 40% stake in the Company.
1993 – Acquisition of stake in ZimChem Refiners (Pvt) Ltd.
1994 – Record production of 6 million tonnes achieved.
1998 – Acquisition of 49% stake in Clay Products (Pvt) Limited.
1999 – Decommissioning of No. 3 underground mine due to geological challenges.
2004 – Company renamed Hwange Colliery Company Limited.
2005 – Reopening of 3 Main Underground Mine; awarded Best Turnaround Award.
2006 – Commencement of Chaba Opencast operations.
2007 – Commissioning of coke oven battery (JV with Chinese investor); ISO 9001:2000 certification achieved.
2013 – Commissioning of mining equipment valued at USD 20 million.
2014 – Award of USD 260 million mining contract to Mota-Engil; securing of USD 31.2 million in credit facilities.
2017 – Entry into a Scheme of Arrangement, enabling business recovery and turnaround:
- Production increased from 30,000 tonnes/month to 300,000 tonnes/month
- Resuscitation of 3 Main Underground Mine commenced
- Continuous Miner refurbished and redeployed
Strategic Transformation and Diversification (2023 – Present)
From 2023, HCCL Holdings embarked on a deliberate and accelerated diversification strategy aimed at transforming the Company into a fully integrated, coal-led industrial group and reducing reliance on raw coal sales.
This strategic shift has focused on:
- Energy Value Chain Expansion
- Coal Beneficiation & Value Addition
- Agriculture & Land Utilisation
- Real Estate & Infrastructure Development
- Healthcare Services
- Financial Services & Strategic Investments
- ESG and Community Development Integration
Today, HCCL Holdings remains a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s energy sector, committed to ensuring reliable coal supply while driving industrial growth, economic diversification, and sustainable community development.
