By Own Correspondent

The planned maintenance of  Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Dinson) , Zimbabwe’s biggest new industrial investment, has taken its first major production pause since commissioning started last year amid jobs and salary cuts fears. .

The company will shut down its plant for a scheduled maintenance programme running from September 11 to November 11, for what officials say is crucial to stabilise production.

Dinson spokesperson Joseph Shoko said the break will allow engineers to carry out inspections, repairs and replacements on key equipment, while also completing the plant’s commissioning.

 “The plant is due for routine maintenance to ensure optimal performance and prevent unexpected breakdowns. This window allows for inspection, repair, and replacement of critical equipment, minimising future disruptions,” Shoko says.

Much of Dinson’s machinery, Shoko says, is still in the test-run phase. “The shutdown provides an opportunity to complete the commissioning process.”

A major reason for the pause is a breakdown at the sinter plant, which processes iron ore before it is fed into the blast furnace. “A significant breakdown at the sintering plant, a critical component of iron and steel production, requires immediate repairs to prevent further damage and ensure a safe working environment,” Shoko says. Workers will be paid during the maintenance period and are expected back on site November 12.

The repairs, Shoko says, will help the plant “minimise future disruptions and optimise production” to meet market demand.

Since Dinson began operations, Zimbabwe has seen a sharp rise in steel exports. Between January and August 2025, the country exported 172,000 tonnes of steel, up more than 1,400% from the 11,200 tonnes recorded for the whole of 2024, according to data from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe.

However, the labour unions operating in the sector fear that such moves may end up affecting workers though finer  details on how the initiatives will be implemented.

Dinson is a subsidiary of Tsingshan Group, the world’s largest nickel producer and a leading global manufacturer of stainless steel. The company aims to produce 600,000 tonnes of steel in the first phase of its project. Apart from the steel plant, Tsingshan also has ferrochrome, coking coal and lithium mining businesses in Zimbabwe.