Martin Kadzere
INITIAL assay results indicate that Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe’s newly commenced lithium processing has produced a technical-grade concentrate of 50 percent purity, a critical first step toward eventually refining battery-grade standards.
Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) sales executive Ms Gay Zindere made the revelation during a media capacity-building workshop on the lithium value chain in Masvingo on Wednesday.
The workshop is aimed at equipping journalists with technical knowledge to enhance informed reporting on the sector.
Ms Zindere highlighted the development as a strong indicator of progress in upgrading domestic chemical processing capabilities.
While battery-grade lithium carbonate typically requires a minimum purity threshold of 99,5 percent, achieving an intermediate product demonstrates crucial technical viability in moving beyond initial beneficiation stages.
“Prospect has commenced production of lithium carbonate, although the processing plant has not yet achieved the quality required for battery-grade or industrial-grade applications, Ms Zindere said.
“Our initial consignment shows a purity level of 50 percent, but reaching the required specification is highly feasible.”
The current operations remain in early-stage runs, producing relatively small volumes as the plant undergoes testing, calibration, and operational adjustments to optimise production processes.
Converting raw lithium ore into chemical-grade lithium carbonate involves a five-stage refining process: initial physical milling and flotation upgrade raw ore into concentrate; high-temperature processing alters the mineral lattice; acid roasting and water leaching convert the material into a liquid lithium sulfate solution; hydrometallurgical purification strips iron and heavy metal contaminants and soda ash treatment precipitates the final lithium carbonate compound.
The development builds on Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe’s established record as an industry pioneer, having become the first entity in Africa to process and export lithium sulphate in April this year after investing US$400 million at its facility in Goromonzi.
The progress aligns with the Government’s strategic policy mandate requiring mining entities to add value to raw minerals locally rather than exporting unprocessed ores.
By moving up the mineral value chain from raw spodumene concentrates to intermediate lithium sulphate and ultimately refined lithium carbonate, the country aims to maximise export revenues, retain industrial capacity, and secure a firmer position in the global electric vehicle battery supply chain.
The ongoing technical refinements and plant optimisations are expected to progressively bridge the remaining gap towards achieving fully certified, battery-grade specifications.
The MMCZ media workshop followed a site tour of Zheli Mining, a Zvishavane-based lithium ore processor that has invested US$15 million in its operations on Tuesday, with plans to advance further up the value chain to lithium sulphate early next year.
The media exposure tour continues with a site visit to Bikita Minerals on Thursday, followed by Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ) on Friday.
The interactive workshop aims to help journalists understand the corporation’s functions from a marketing perspective, its efforts in ensuring transparency and curbing leakages so that the country receives full value from its mineral resources.
