Chipo Sabeta Chinhoyi Bureau
More than 4 000 people at Alaska mining compound are set to get running water for the first time in years following a deal between Chinhoyi Municipality and Alaska Alloys. Alaska Alloys, under an Indian investor, took over former Mhangura Copper Smelting Plant in July and will be refurbishing it. Operations are expected to commence by the first quarter of next year.

Residents have been using water from boreholes and wells. With the chrome-smelting company needing large volumes of water for their operations, they decided to partner Chinhoyi Municipality to enhance its availability. Chinhoyi mayor Mr Test Michaels confirmed the development, saying that a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed. The MoU will see Alaska Alloys providing a pump and other components for water distribution.

“They approached us and we felt the idea was brilliant,” said Mr Michaels. “They offered to provide a pump and transformer while we will be responsible for the other necessities. We also felt it was a chance for us to extend our services to the people of Alaska, considering the financial burden we have in providing services.” The Indian investor will be smelting chrome after refurbishment of the plant, which involves pulling down of old structures and making adjustments to the existing ones. The development will see between 200 and 300 people being employment at the smelting plant.

Said Mr Michaels: “These upgrades and development ensure that the town can continue to provide quality service to its residents, business and industry, which paves the way for economic growth and employment creation.” Council, he said, would continue looking for opportunities and synergies that bring sustainable development in communities and help meet residents’ needs. Chinhoyi Municipality, said Mr Michaels, had not been able to keep up with the rate of expansion of the population and the resultant increase in demand services.

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