Prospects for Coal Briquettes as a Substitute Fuel for Wood and ...

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in 1982, The actual market price was US$4.80/40kg in 1982. The higher
actual prices reflect the realities of supply and demand.
Proven coal reserves in the only existing mine, the mid-Zambezi basin at
hambar are estimated at 58 MMonnes. Current production is about 0.61
MMtonnes/yr. The major consumers of this coal are the copper miness the
cement industry, and the fertll izer pl ant. Coal production 1 s current1 y
only about 50% of its deslgn rate. The costs of production at Mamba
are unnecessarily high (US$47/tonne) because of mining inefficiencies,
lack of foreign exchange to replace and maintain equipment, and poor
management. C191 The UNDP/Worl d Bank estimates that investments of the
order of US30 million w i l l be required to rehabilitate the mine,
otherwise costs w i l l continue to increase and production w i l l lag. The
rail transportatlan system linking the mine with consumers is also In
need of rehabil itatlon. Transportation costs are high and are about
US$13/tonne from minemouth to the copper mines.
Despite the inefficiencies in coal minfng, the costs of coal compare
quite favorably with charcoal. Assuming 5600 kcal/kg for coalP the
delivered price of coal converts to US$33/Toe. Charcoal at 7000 kcal/kg
is nearly two and one-half tonnes more expensive at USdWToe. The
carbonization and Sriquetting of coal could be a viable substitute for
charcoal in urban centers. Furtherl it is likely that some capital
investmmts w i l l be required to rehabilitate the coal mine and
transportation system.
a The energy problems of Zimbabwe are similar to those of
Most of its energy demand is met with indigenous supplies of
coal hydropower, and noodf uel s. The country imports comparatl
little commercial energy, Oil and electricity each account for 11.
total energy needs.Cl91 A fuelwood crlisis is8 hcwwer, beglnni
manifest itsel f in a number of densely populated eastern and middl e vel d
rural areas and in and around the major towns and cities. The communal
lands in the middle and low veld show advanced signs of deforestation
and soil erosion. The population of the country is predominantly rural,
. However, the urban population is expanding at an annual rate
as opposed to 2.7% in the rural areas. The fuelwood energy
bal ance is sh n in Table (2.6. Industry and agriculture use 16% of the
total fuelwood supply. Data on the consumption of charcoal were not
av ai 1 ab1 e.