By Business Reporter – Tuesday 18 February 2020
HARARE (Mining Index) – OIL Castor Zimbabwe (OCZ) is set to install a US$4 million oil processing plant with a capacity to process up to 8 million litres annually, the firm’s co-founder Al Arellano said.
OCZ is an oil company that specializes in the production of organic diesel and engine oil manufactured from castor beans.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the company’s flag ship products, bio-diesel and bio-engine oil at the company’s base in Harare recently, Arellano said his company was moving swiftly to correct the mismanagement of the environment by those using fossil fuels by investing in extensive research and availing products that are not harmful to humans and the environment.
“We are expecting to be allocated certain tracts of land from the Government in Victoria Falls and Hwange, which would mean an investment of about US$4 million to install a processing plant. The plant will process an initial 4 – 8 million litres annually, but it will all depend on the number of farmers who will be growing castor beans.
“Watching Zimbabwe being mined was one of the worst sights I have ever seen. Growing castor beans will reduce pollution. It will bring rains to where its planted and will help in relieving fossil fuel consumption,” said Arellano.
He added that his firm was aiming towards developing its own fuel stations, but pointed that would only follow after discussions, in particular the governments of South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe respectively.
“We are talking to governments on supplying governments directly. After supplying governments will develop our own fuel or lube station. We foresee, Oil Castor Zimbabwe as bio fuel station across Africa,” he said.
OCZ launched its bio-diesel and flagship Juju motor oil for both diesel and petrol engines.
The oil company invests much into research and development, through specialized engineering of seeds making them advanced.
Both products (bio- diesel and motor engine oil) are manufactured from the processing of castor oil.
The castor bean at Oil Castor is a hybrid seed with a content of between 65 to 80 percent. The firm says 1000kgs of castor bean seed can produce up to 680 liters of biodiesel.
The castor bean at Oil Castor is a hybrid seed with oil content of between 65 to 80 percent. ENDS// www.miningindex.co.zw
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