Source: Expedite lithium beneficiation: VP Chiwenga – herald
Mukudzei Chingwere in BIKITA
LITHIUM mining companies should speed up beneficiation to help produce concentrated products with a higher economic value and spur the country’s move towards the fourth industrial revolution.
This was said by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga after touring Bikita Minerals as part of a tour of economic projects in Masvingo last week.
His call comes at a crucial time when Zimbabwe was eager to ramp-up economic development amid a rising global demand for strategic minerals like lithium.
Zimbabwe holds Africa’s largest lithium reserves, exporting over a million tonnes of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate last year, up 11 percent from 2024.
“This is my third time being here, and each time we come, we want to see if there are improvements in what we have discussed or what we intend to see the company achieve,” said VP Chiwenga.
“The last time we were here, they had invested in the Cesium plant, which is very good, we are impressed with that. Production has ramped up, but they have slowed their progress in terms of further value addition, from concentrates to sulfates and then to the next level.
“This is what we have discussed with management, and we will further discuss the matter with them to see how the value chain, beneficiation and value addition will lead to industrialisation and the manufacturing we would like to see taking place in the country,” he said.
Lithium and its by-products, the Vice President said, will play a major role as the country moves into the fourth industrial revolution.
“So, together with the company, we are charting the way forward, and I think our discussions are aligned with what we want to achieve.”
Zimbabwe has banned the export of raw minerals and lithium concentrates with immediate effect to curb malpractices and leakages.
Meanwhile, the Vice President commended Bikita Minerals for providing more than 1 000 direct jobs, as well as more than 1 000 indirect jobs.
He also commended the company for its social corporate responsibility initiatives and contribution to the construction of the Tokwe-Bikita power line.
Bikita Minerals’ subsidiary – Sinomine has invested over $400 million in exploration, expansion and processing, operating three beneficiation plants and a testing Cesium Flotation Plant producing 100 tonnes per month, with an annual output of about 3 000 tonnes of lithium.
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