In the heart of Zimbabwe’s coal-mining hub, Hwange Colliery was preparing to bring a new wash plant online – a facility critical for processing coal and improving the mine’s operational efficiency. But before the plant could start, the mine needed a reliable water storage solution to hold fresh underground water and keep production running smoothly.
That’s where Mazano Bio-Water , SBS Tanks’ trusted distributor in Zimbabwe, stepped in. Together with SBS Tanks, Mazano delivered a 1.2 megalitre ST23/06 tank at Site 3, deep inside the colliery, to ensure the mine’s new wash plant had the water supply it required to get back into full operation.
The Hwange Colliery wash plant required a constant supply of clean water to function efficiently. The solution involved pumping underground fresh water from within the mine, settling solids in a sump, and then transferring the clarified water to the SBS tank for secure storage.
The ST23/06 tank became the holding hub for this process, ensuring that clean water was always available for the wash plant’s demanding operations. Its strategic placement on Site 3 – the furthest part of the mine -highlighted the importance of a durable, quickly installed, and low-maintenance storage system.
Without this installation, the mine’s wash plant could not operate at full efficiency, delaying coal processing and overall productivity.
Design and Planning: A Fast-Track SolutionWith the mine under pressure to resume operations, timelines were tight. A traditional concrete tank would have taken too long to build, delaying the commissioning of the wash plant. Instead, SBS’s modular, steel-bolted, liner-based design proved to be the ideal solution:
• Customised Capacity: The 1.2ML tank was designed to meet the wash plant’s exact operational requirements.
• Speed of Installation: Modular components were transported easily and assembled on-site with minimal disruption.
• Durability: Constructed from Galvalume steel and lined with SBS’s high-performance liner, the tank provided long-term resilience against the harsh mining environment.
Mazano Bio-Water worked closely with SBS engineers to adapt to the mine’s specific standards and safety requirements, guiding the client through their first installation of this kind of tank. You can view the SBS mining range tanks online here.
The installation process combined Mazano’s local expertise with SBS’s quality assurance standards:
1. Site Preparation – Mazano constructed the reinforced concrete ring beam, ensuring it met SBS specifications and passed all QC checks.
2. Assembly – Under the leadership of Project Manager Tafadzwa, with a small local crew supported by an SBS supervisor from South Africa, the modular tank panels were bolted together and components quickly installed.
3. Jacking System – The tank was erected ring by ring, with the roof sheets and access systems installed as the build progressed, allowing for safe, ground-level construction.
4. Commissioning – Once complete, nozzles were fitted, safety systems checked, and the tank commissioned for immediate use.
Despite the remote location, hot and dry conditions, and even the presence of elephants passing through the site, the build was completed safely, on schedule, and to the client’s satisfaction.
Several factors set this project apart:
• It was Mazano Bio-Water’s first megalitre tank installation in Zimbabwe -a proud milestone for our distributor in the SADC region.
• The tank’s role in powering the new wash plant meant the project had a direct and immediate impact on the mine’s production output.
• The ability to install quickly and cost-effectively allowed the mine to get its wash plant operational much faster than with conventional concrete tank options. See a more in-depth comparison of why Steel vs Concrete is superior, here.
Feedback from the client highlighted their appreciation for the speed, professionalism, and quality workmanship of both Mazano and SBS. Executives at Hwange Colliery noted the tank’s strong aesthetics, high build quality, and the reassurance of SBS’s 10-year No-Leak liner warranty.
Mazano Bio-Water’s ethos – delivering sustainable and innovative water solutions -aligns perfectly with SBS Tanks’ mission to provide engineered, long-lasting storage systems worldwide. By combining global engineering expertise with local knowledge and service, this project ensured Hwange Colliery could continue operations sustainably and efficiently.
The Hwange Colliery wash plant tank project is a shining example of how SBS Tanks and Mazano Bio-Water partner to deliver solutions that meet immediate operational needs while supporting long-term resilience. With the tank in place, the mine now benefits from a secure, sustainable water source that keeps the wash plant running, increases output, and improves efficiency.
For both SBS and Mazano, this project is more than an installation – it’s a milestone that demonstrates the power of collaboration, innovation, and engineering excellence in strengthening Africa’s mining sector.
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SBS Tanks is Africa’s leading manufacturer and supplier of modular steel panel water storage tanks fitted with an internal liquid storage liner. With offices in Durban, Johannesburg & Cape Town, our factory services all provinces within South Africa and the SADC region. With ISO accreditation (ISO 45001 and ISO 9001) collaborating with a trusted supplier like SBS Tanks East Africa, can offer professional advice and a variety of premium tank alternatives to satisfy your various needs.
Contact Shaun, HOD Global Exports or the sales team today and simply Request a quote here.
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