Kamativi investor offers free medical services

A FEW months after breathing a new lease of life into the community, lithium investor, Kamativi Mining Company (KMC), has rolled out free medical services targeting workers and ordinary people.

More than 300 people have benefited from free medical services in just one week.

The gesture is part of the lithium mining company’s corporate social responsibility and adds to several other community development initiatives the mining entity is undertaking.

Besides creating jobs, the lithium miner has refurbished infrastructure in the once dormant Kamativi community, repaired roads, invested in water and electricity sources as well as capacitated schools and clinics.

Last week, a group of Chinese medical experts visited Kamativi to offer free medical services to the mine’s workforce and residents in general.

Mr Liang Chen, the manager, said the visit by the Chinese medical team reflects the spirit and co-operation of a long standing relationship between China and Zimbabwe.

“On Wednesday Chinese medical doctors operating in Zimbabwe visited Kamativi Mining Company to offer free traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture diagnosis and treatment. Their medical visit benefited more than 300 people who included employees and people from the community.

“The doctors also presented an assortment of medical supplies and accessories to KMC,” said Mr Liang.

He said after providing free medical checks at the company premises, the doctors visited the local clinic to conduct inspection and medical exchanges.

He said KMC has assisted the Kamativi Clinic before to improve the healthcare system including emergency rescue operations.

Mr Liang said KMC joined hands with the Chinese medical team to provide quality medical services not only to its employees but to the community at large.

“KMC is committed to serving and improving the Kamativi healthcare system through periodic health checks,” said Mr Liang.

Already, KMC has channelled more than US$2 million towards various community development projects with positive impact on ordinary people’s lives. The investments have excited traditional leaders in Hwange District and the local community who are already feeling its impact.

Chief Dingani Nelukoba said the gesture was a welcome development as it enhances a healthy community. He said conducting medical check-ups on mine workers will help prevent diseases such as TB.

“That is a good initiative which we should commend. That used to happen at Hwange Colliery Company long back. This should also be extended to residents because dust affects everyone,” he said.

This corporate social responsibility work feeds into the Second Republic’s development agenda as espoused in the National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030.

KMC is a Joint Venture company operated and controlled by Sichuan PD Technology Group, a subsidiary of the Chinese-listed entity Yahua Group and a local partner, Defold Mine (Private) Limited.

KMC started operations in 2019 with Phase One of the project commencing in March 2023 focused on lithium exploration, mining and processing within Kamativi, a former tin mine that closed in 1994 when international prices of tin plummeted to unsustainable levels.

At that time more than 3 000 people were employed by the mine, which still had a 40-year lifespan. President Mnangagwa recently commissioned KMC’s US100 million Phase One Lithium Processing Plant.

The Chinese investor, Yahua Group, expects to invest a total of US$249 million with construction of the second plant underway, and IS expected to be completed in July.

This will see production at the company rising to 2,3 million tonnes of raw ore and 300 000 tonnes of lithium concentrate per annum.