Eberne Investments Production Director Mr David Van Breda explaining to Ministry of information Perm Sec Mr Nick Mangwana
By Desire Tshuma
Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe – Eberne Investments, a Zimbabwean-owned granite processing company based in the Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe district, says it has so far invested US$5 million into its Mutoko processing plant and expects total investment to reach nearly US$9 million once its expansion is complete.
Company official said the expansion will double processing capacity. The factory will increase from four to eight multi-wire saws and add two polishing lines. This is expected to lift production from the current target of 150 truckloads of granite slabs per month to about 300 truckloads.
Most of Eberne Investments’ granite slabs are exported to South Africa and Europe. Management explained that the focus is on bulk slab production rather than finished products for the local market. Local demand for large slabs remains limited, with most Zimbabwean businesses buying slabs and cutting them into kitchen countertops, tombstones and other finished products.
The company employs about 430 workers across its operations, including 74 at the processing plant. The majority work in the quarries. Officials said some quarry workers are currently on reduced shifts due to export delays and the transition from granite block production to slab production. This followed Government’s ban on raw granite block exports earlier this year.
Power shortages and delays in obtaining export documentation were identified as the biggest operational challenges. The factory currently relies on generators while awaiting the installation of a 33kV power line, which is expected to improve electricity supply.
Export documentation delays have also resulted in thousands of granite slabs accumulating in the factory yard. This has limited exports despite production running at full capacity.
The company stressed that Zimbabwe has abundant granite reserves, with deposits in the Mutoko area expected to last for centuries. It described itself as a wholly Zimbabwean-owned business, with 99 percent of its workforce drawn from surrounding communities.
“We are optimistic that with improved infrastructure and faster export processing we can maximise production and contribute more foreign currency earnings through increased exports,” said Company Production Director Mr David Van Breda.
Management said once power and logistics issues are resolved, the expanded plant will be able to operate at full capacity and increase Eberne Investments’ contribution to national export earnings.