Eagle Canyon’s $13 Billion Energy Park Plan Faces Delays in Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Eagle Canyon International Group Holding’s ambitious $13 billion plan to develop a new energy park in Mapinga is facing delays as investors await the finalization of land allocation processes. This project aims to create a hub for energy generation, transmission, and distribution, addressing Zimbabwe’s chronic energy shortages.

In 2022, the Zimbabwean government, Eagle Canyon, and Chinese company Pacific Goal Investment signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of the first mine-to-energy industrial park in the country. Eagle Canyon director Lionel Mhlanga stated, “The process for land allocation is still being handled by the Ministry of Lands.”

The government has secured at least 500 hectares of the 5,000 hectares needed for the project, although some land is still occupied by local farmers, who will be consulted before any relocation occurs. Mhlanga confirmed that once the land is allocated, Eagle Canyon will enter the implementation phase.

The plan includes constructing two 300-megawatt power stations, a coking plant, and a nickel-chromium alloy smelter, among other facilities. These developments will utilize a total of 5,000 hectares, with Eagle Canyon utilizing 1,000 hectares for their operations.

Additionally, the energy park will initiate the lithium-ion battery value chain in Zimbabwe, positioning the country as a key player in the global lithium-ion battery production market. Mhlanga emphasized the project’s potential to spur economic growth, stating, “That energy park will achieve a great deal. The investment figure has not changed.”

Eagle Canyon, founded by Jun Liu in 1995, specializes in energy, minerals, real estate, and infrastructure projects both in China and Southern Africa. The company is also expanding its investments across various mining sectors in Zimbabwe, currently seeking a highly skilled internal controller to bolster its finance team.

As the country grapples with ongoing energy shortages and economic challenges, the successful realization of the energy park is seen as a potential turning point for Zimbabwe’s industrial and economic landscape.