25.9.06

Crise Energética no Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - Drastic coal shortages despite massive natural deposits have had a ripple effect throughout Zimbabwe's economy and ruined a deal to renovate the country's biggest steelworks, the government has acknowledged.
The energy crisis adds to the economic woes of Zimbabwe, which is already suffering from acute shortages of many basic commodities.
Industry Minister Obert Mpofu told a panel of lawmakers in Harare recently that Indian steel maker Global Steel Holdings pulled out of an investment deal at the Zicosteel steelworks in central Zimbabwe because of concerns about lack of coal supplies.
(...)Zicosteel was once prosperous but has declined because of mismanagement and corruption and is now on the verge of collapse.