STAMICO sets strategies to raise alternative charcoal production
STATE Mining Cooperative (STAMICO) has strategically put plans to raise the production of alternative charcoals from coal, with the aim of achieving the minimal use of firewood and charcoal for cooking to save forest reserves.
Stamico’s Public Relation Manager, Mr Geofrey Meena made the revelation recently to the Minister of the Vice-President’s office for Union and Environments at the Fifth Mineral Exhibition Technology held at Bombambili squares in Geita Town Council.
He said the experimental alternative charcoal has shown effective results compared to firewood and ordinary charcoal, adding that the strategy is on the final stage to strengthen the availability of the alternative charcoals countrywide.
Explaining the project, Stamico Marketing Officer, Mr Alfred Hezron, said current production rate of alternative charcoal is 25 tonnes per month against the goal of raising 480 tonnes per month.
To achieve that, Stamico has ordered two large plants capable of producing 20 tonnes per hour and help in increasing production to 960 tonnes per day and thus ensure availability of the alternative charcoals.
Earlier, the minister in charge, Dr. Suleman Jafo urged various public institutions including schools, prisons and army camps to support the project by abandoning the use of firewood and ordinary charcoal to save forest reserves.
He said, due to the development of science and technology it is the right time now for these institutions to opt for alternative energies with less environmental impacts.
“We are happy to see that Stamico has focused on the production of the use of alternative charcoal from coal. We have now seen that this challenge of using wood and charcoal is going away.” Dr Jafo explained.
