Online Reporter
VICE-PRESIDENT Cde Constantino Chiwenga has urged mining companies to accelerate value addition and beneficiation of the country’s minerals so that the nation can derive maximum benefits from its natural resources.
Speaking after touring Kamativi Mining Company in Matabeleland North province on Wednesday, VP Chiwenga said value addition and beneficiation of minerals was not negotiable. He said the recent surge in lithium discoveries must be supported by robust value addition and beneficiation as opposed to exporting lithium ore or spodumene.
VP Chiwenga said the era of simply extracting and exporting raw materials must come to an end.
“We can no longer continue extracting and shipping our resources to other countries where they are used to produce finished products. It is time we produce ‘Made in Zimbabwe’ products, which result in us realising more from our natural resources,” he said.
VP Chiwenga said value addition and beneficiation does not only result in greater value for the country’s mineral wealth but also creates more jobs.
Last year, Government promised additional incentives to companies that respond positively to its calls to produce finished products. Government said it recognises the importance of value-addition and beneficiation in accelerating its modernisation and industrialisation programme.
The thrust towards value addition driven mining sector transformation, Government said, should be anchored on technological advancements and aligned to the global shift towards renewable energy sources.
Minerals such as gold, platinum and lithium play a key role in modern industries including the production of smartphones, electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
Zimbabwe is among the leading world producers of lithium, which has the potential to leapfrog its industrialisation and modernisation.
The automotive industry is shifting towards electric cars that use lithium-ion batteries. Lithium is therefore a key component in the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries and as such, demand for lithium is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
There is therefore a need to push harder for value addition and beneficiation of lithium and other minerals so that the country derives maximum benefit.
The country, as already stated, cannot afford to continue exporting raw minerals to benefit Western countries. It’s time mining companies invest in the processing of minerals, to enable the country to produce finished products as opposed to exporting raw minerals.
