Online Reporter
Oliver Kazunga
Senior Reporter
SANDAWANA’S lithium development is beginning to reshape Mberengwa, with road construction, family relocation, community livelihoods and new public facilities advancing alongside preparations for mineral processing.
The latest project update shows marked movement since the initial announcement of the US$313 million lithium concentrator, with more than 120 local people now employed on the 52-kilometre York-Sandawana access road.
The development comes as Mutapa Energy Resources (MER) pushes ahead with infrastructure required to support the planned processing operation while addressing the needs of communities affected by the project.
The US$313 million concentrator, which is targeted for commissioning in November next year, is part of the Government’s wider drive to increase local beneficiation of lithium.
The latest update shows that the project is now producing tangible changes beyond the planned processing plant itself.
Three contractors — Masimba, Fossil and SM Construction — have been fully mobilised on different sections of the 52-kilometre road from York to Sandawana via Mangena Shopping Centre.
The contractors were appointed to accelerate construction ahead of the rainy season.
Fossil Contracting is working on the York-to-Zverenje turn-off section, SM Projects on the Zverenje turn-off-to-Chebvute stretch, while Masimba Holdings is responsible for the Chebvute-to-Sandawana Mines section.
Works include excavation and grading, borrow-pit mapping, land restoration, stakeholder coordination and preparations for areas associated with the mining development.
In a project update, MER General Manager Mr Andrew Mboma said engagements with all stakeholders have been made.
“The construction of the processing plant requires relocation of families and graves. Engagements with the Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) and all stakeholders have been made and a relocation plan has been put into place,” said Mr Mboma.
The developments at Sandawana comes at a time when the mine is preparing for a substantial expansion in processing capacity, with infrastructure such as roads, power and water being developed to support the operation and surrounding communities.
Apart from road construction, one of the most significant developments taking place is the construction of the processing plant, which requires the relocation of families and graves from the project area, and the latest update shows that the resettlement programme has moved into implementation.
Seven demonstration and relocation homes have been completed, each comprising a three-bedroomed house, kitchen and ablution facilities while the construction of a further 97 homes is at an advanced stage.
Two families have already volunteered to relocate.
The development follows earlier plans to relocate 104 families to clear the area required for the processing plant.
The relocation of graves has also begun.
A total of 52 known graves and 15 unknown graves were identified, with protocols for exhumation and reburial established with the Registry Department and the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe.
Two cemeteries have been established, while 24 graves have so far been relocated following compensation.
The progress marks a change from the earlier stage of the project when grave relocation and the construction of replacement homes were still being prepared.
As part of empowering the affected households, MER was providing alternative livelihood opportunities.
The company has procured 85 heifers as a token of appreciation for affected communities.
Land has also been identified for irrigation, with the Agriculture and Rural Development Advisory Service (ARDAS) engaged to provide technical advice on its utilisation.
ARDAS officers have been on site for an assessment, with their report expected by Thursday next week.
The measures are intended to complement the physical resettlement programme by creating opportunities for affected families to continue generating livelihoods after relocation.
The Sandawana development is also bringing new social infrastructure into the project area.
A new primary school to be built by MER is now at tendering stage, with completion targeted before the end of this year.
“A new primary school will be built by MER and is now at tendering stage with a plan to complete the school before year-end 2026.
“A new medical centre and a new police station will be constructed and are at design stage. Consultations have been made with the Department of Public Works to accelerate the designs, and their engineers, architects and quantity surveyors are expected to be on site for a week starting 28th September 2026,” said Mr Mboma.
The developments build on earlier plans by MER to provide new community infrastructure alongside the mining investment.
The company is advancing the US$300 million lithium concentrator, while a separate proposed US$400 million lithium sulphate project represents the next stage of beneficiation.
The US$400 million sulphate project remains at the development and financing stage, with MER expecting to have a financing plan in place by December this year.
The proposals indicate an ambition to move Sandawana further up the lithium value chain, but the immediate focus remains on delivering the concentrator and the infrastructure required to support it.
The wider project comes as Zimbabwe pushes to capture more value from its lithium resources through local processing rather than relying on exports of less-processed material.
Traditional leadership in Mberengwa District have commended MER and the Government for bringing development to the area.
Chief Bvute, who represented all the 16 chiefs in the district, was recently quoted as saying: “This is true development. Houses, water and jobs, we really thank President Mnangagwa and his administration for remembering Mberengwa.”
In a recent interview with this publication, Zanu PF legislator for Mberengwa West Constituency Tafanana Zhou commended the development that was unfolding in the area.
“We really commend Mutapa Energy Resources for the good work that it is doing.
‘We are seeing here the road construction. There are three contractors which are going to work on the 52 kilometres that is from York to Sandawana Mines.
“The road is going to ease the passage of the people; people were having some challenges, like travelling from Mberengwa, where our Growth Point is, to come to Sandawana,” he was quoted as saying.
