The company operates a mine in northwest of the country, and produced around 200,000 tons of coal a month, reported Bloomberg. It intends to increase its monthly production to over 300,000 tons this year.

Hwange supplies coal to state-owned power utility Zimbabwe Power Company.

Hwange Colliery managing director said: "We are talking to Glencore, they are interested in our coal and other coke products.

"For now, I can’t disclose the quantities which Glencore wants or the cost due to confidentiality."

Zimbabwe Government holds 37% stake and British businessman Nicholas van Hoogstraten has 20% interest in Hwange Colliery.

The company is looking to commission new mining equipment using $33m funding from the central bank and India Export and Import Bank, reported Reuters.

The company is also working to repair a coke oven battery, which will increase its coke production to 216,000 tons a year.