Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube, [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is expected to commission the new lithium mine operated by Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) next Friday.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Zhemu Soda visited the mine last month on the sidelines of the 9th Ordinary Meeting of the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) that took place in Victoria Falls to have an appreciation of the progress made at the mine ahead of its commissioning.
He commended the mineral beneficiation bias of the business, which buttresses the Government’s National Development Strategy ideals of ensuring that strategic minerals are domestically beneficiated and value assigned to them before they are exported.
Minister Soda announced that the President would commission the mine this month.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo confirmed this morning that the commission date is Friday.
“Yes the President is going to open the mine next Friday and we have already started preparations,” said Minister Moyo.
Driven by a substantial investment appetite, KMC which is exploiting the lithium resource in Hwange District, has captured the attention of the Government.
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 and 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.
Riding on the renewed investment interest in Zimbabwe under the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa, the new investor has reopened the mine and expects to invest US$249 million, this time exploring lithium and not tin.
Phase One of the mine is already successfully running and producing 300 000 tonnes of raw ore and 50 000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate per annum.
Phase two, which will ramp up production to 2,3 million tonnes of raw ore and 300 000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate per annum is under construction and will be completed mid-year.
The project has already created direct employment for 260 people while about 1 000 are employed indirectly through downstream contracts impact.
The mine is also involved in corporate social responsibility in schools, clinics, roads and water provision amid plans to establish a solar project to boost energy generation.
Online Reporter