Established in 1926, ZIMASCO is one of the largest producers of high-carbon ferrochrome in Zimbabwe. Located in the Midlands, the company operates five submerged electrical arc furnaces. Years ago, a fire incident destroyed the building housing Furnace No. 2. The building and furnace remained closed for several years until 2011 when it was decided to rebuild the structure to accommodate a new furnace.
Awarded the project from the tender in November 2011, Hogarths began fabricating the steelwork in mid-January 2012. The project included the main building, transfer towers, and several conveyors, involving approximately 850 tonnes of steelwork and platework. Erection and installation commenced in April 2012. Shortly after the site erection began, the project was cancelled due to a significant drop in the world price of chrome. However, the client decided to continue with the fabrication of the steelwork, about 500 tonnes, for the main building, with delivery to the site. Although this was completed, no further erection has been undertaken to date. Approximately 400 tonnes of fabricated steelwork now remain unused in the “graveyard”.
