Gwanda Lithium Mine completes new plant
Gwanda Lithium Mine has completed constructing its multi-million dollar plant and secured an export permit from the Government.
This paves the way for the company to start shipping its lithium concentrate to China.
Mines and Mining Development Minister, Winston Chitando, confirmed the development recently in Parliament.
The project is only one of many multi-million dollar lithium investments the country has witnessed in recent years, as demand for the global energy mineral is forecast to skyrocket.
Zimbabwe’s lithium sector has been experiencing significant investments, particularly from Chinese companies.
Notable projects include the US$300 million spodumene processing plant at Bikita Lithium Mine and the US$300 million lithium concentrator at the Arcadia project near Harare.
The surge in interest in Zimbabwe’s lithium sector stems from its crucial role in the global transition to clean energy, particularly the electrification of transportation and energy storage.
Lithium is a key component of rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
Minister Chitando said the Chinese company had since applied for an export licence.
“Gwanda Lithium Mine has completed construction of its lithium processing plant and has been following up on the application for an approved processing plant permit from the ministry.
“They were given a waiver to proceed pending the approval of the permit,” Minister Chitando said.
Since its inception in January 2024, Gwanda has been producing about 1 500 tonnes per day of lithium concentrate.
The output, in an increasingly electrified global economy, underscores the mine’s operational efficiency and potential for growth.
“In the meantime, Gwanda Lithium Mine is producing 1 500 tonnes per day of lithium concentrate since its inception in January 2024,” the minister added.
Cognisant of the significant production, the ministry issued a six-month export licence for a trial shipment of 5 000 tonnes of lithium concentrate to China.
This strategic move is designed to test and establish viable international markets for the company, as it seeks to position itself as a reliable supplier in the global market of electric batteries lithium.
The lithium mine employs 300 people, 80 percent of them locals.
Production is expected to reach one million tonnes of ore and 200 000 tonnes of lithium concentrate annually once the plant reaches full production capacity.
The US$54 million mining venture is a subsidiary of Chinese global investor Tsingshan Holdings Limited Group, whose other unit last year completed the construction of the US$1,5 billion Dinson Iron and Steel plant in Mvuma, Midlands province.
The group’s other two other subsidiaries include Dinson Colliery in Hwange, Matabeleland North Province, and Afrochine Smelting in Selous, near Chegutu, Mashonaland West Province.
Dinson had earlier expressed interest in setting up a lithium battery manufacturing plant, which saw it secure the lithium mining claims in Gwanda.
The company will thus produce lithium concentrates to support the proposed high-value lithium batteries project in Zimbabwe.
Minister Chitando also provided an update in Parliament on the mining activities around the Boterekwa area in the Midlands Province.
“There are currently two mining companies that are carrying out mining activities in the Boterekwa mountains.
“These are Chenxi Mining Company and Saironi Mining Company, which both bought pre-existing mining locations from previous owners,” he said.
According to the minister, Chenxi Mining Company is conducting surface mining of gold and heap leaching, while Saironi Mining Company is carrying out underground and surface mining, including crushing, milling, carbon in pulp (CIP), and elution.
The activities highlight growing investments and expansions in Zimbabwe’s mining sector. The investments in lithium and gold mining sectors are emblematic of a broader strategy to diversify the nation’s mining portfolio.
Supportive Government policy and its pro-business thrust have driven investments in modern processing technologies that not only increase production but also improve the quality and marketability of the country’s mineral exports.-herald
