Mining firms seek EPOs strategic minerals

TWO mining entities, Castlegold (Private) Limited and Hexagon International (Private) Limited, have lodged separate Exclusive Prospective Order (EPOs) applications with the Mining Affairs Board to prospect for an array of globally strategic minerals including lithium, mica, tungsten, and beryllium and copper.

EPOs are conferred exclusive rights to prospect for specified minerals in any identified location within Zimbabwe and are critical in allowing international mineral explorers to scan through the country in search of minerals and producing bankable exploration results that can attract investment in line with the “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra.

Castlegold (Private) Limited is eyeing to prospect for lithium, tantalite, cesium, lead, beryllium, tungsten, and tin in Kamativi while Hexagon International (Private) Limited is targeting lithium, mica, graphite, tantalite, aquamarine, beryllium, copper and niobium in Midlands and Matabeleland South Mining District.

In a recent Government gazette, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Mr Pfungwa Kunaka, said in terms of section 87(4) of the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05], Castlegold (Private) Limited applied to the Mining Affairs Board for an exclusive prospecting order, over an area described in the Schedule, in the Matabeleland North Mining District.

“The applicant intends to prospect for lithium, tantalite, cesium, lead, beryllium, tungsten and tin within the area, which has been reserved against prospecting pending determination of this application.

“Prospecting authority is sought upon registered base mineral blocks within the reservation,” reads part of the notice. The area is approximately 64 688 hectares in extent.

On the other hand, Hexagon International (Private) Limited is seeking to prospect for lithium, mica, graphite, tantalite, aquamarine, beryllium, copper and niobium within the area, which has been reserved against prospecting pending determination of this application.

The targeted area is approximately 41 250 hectares in extent, situated in the Midlands and Matabeleland South Provincial Mining Districts.

The mining industry contributes over seven percent of formal jobs, 11 percent to Gross Domestic Product, over 74 percent of total goods and services, and more than 50 percent of foreign direct investment, as well as a major contributor to infrastructure development.

The Government envisions sustainable exploitation of the country’s mineral reserves for socio-economic development and the realisation of a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030.

Already, the country has set a target of attaining the US$12 billion mining industry by 2023 and this is expected to make the sector the bedrock of the economy.

The country holds some of the world’s largest reserves of hard rock lithium, a vital mineral in the production of clean energy technologies. For instance, lithium is a strategic mineral, which holds the key to the global transition to clean energy with many countries already moving towards its use in anticipation of the move to electric vehicles. This has increased demand for the mineral.

Lithium deposits have been identified in Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South, Mashonaland East, Masvingo, Manicaland, and Mashonaland Central provinces with more deposits likely to be discovered.

In 2022, China was the largest mica producer in the world producing an estimated 100,000 metric tons of mica. Following China was Madagascar, which produced 65,000 metric tons that year.

The mineral mica is a group of aluminosilicates with various metals that split into fine sheets. It is described as a translucent, optically flat, and elastic mineral and is found in a variety of consumer goods, from cosmetics to electronic appliances.

“It is added to rubber products such as tires to prevent sticking. Additionally, it is used in paints to improve their pigmentation. —@nqobilebhebhe.