The coal giant said it has applied for permission to explore for coal-bed methane at three places, adding that it has already secured equipment to carry out exploration work in one of the areas. The pilot project is expected to take 24 months at an estimated cost of US$25 million.
Industry experts say the Hwange area holds vast deposits of coal-bed methane which are said to stretch from Hwange in northern Zimbabwe right into neighbouring Botswana. The ever growing international drive for cleaner energy has strengthened Hwange Collierys case for business diversification.