Zimbabwe's Lithium Production Set to increase with New Mining Projects in Development

By Business Reporter,

Zimbabwe's lithium production is set to increase with new mining projects in development.  This comes at a time when the lithium mining industry is experiencing rapid growth as demand for electric cars increases.  The government of Zimbabwe is also taking steps to support the development of the lithium industry. 

The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has created a lithium and tantalum task force to develop a strategy for the industry. Additionally, the government has implemented policies to attract foreign investment and has also established a one-stop shop for investors to facilitate their investment process. Zimbabwe has significant reserves of lithium, which is a key component in the production of batteries for electric vehicles and consumer electronics. 

However, mining for lithium in Zimbabwe is still in the early stages and there are currently only a few small-scale operations in the country. The government has expressed interest in developing the lithium industry, but it faces challenges such as a lack of infrastructure and investment. Despite these challenges, a few companies are working to develop the lithium industry in Zimbabwe, and the government is taking steps to support its development. The lithium market is growing and the demand for lithium is increasing, so there is a potential for Zimbabwe to become a significant player in the lithium market.

Premier African Minerals Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands with registered number 1426861 is making significant progress in the Zulu lithium and tantalum project located 80km from Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.  Touted as the largest undeveloped lithium-bearing pegmatite in Zimbabwe, the Zulu project is comprised of 14 claims covering a surface area of 3.5 km2.  Premier also announced the reappointment of Mr Godfrey T Manhambara as a nondirector and Wolfgang Hampel as the non-executive director of the company. 

“The Zulu Project has substantial resources.  The Mineral Resource Estimate contains 526,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (“LCE”) and 1,025 tonnes of Tantalum Pentoxide. The Mineral Resource Estimate covers only 35% of Zulu’s known 3.5km surface strike length and the drilling continues to upgrade and expand this Mineral Resource Estimate as the deposit remains open at depth and along strike,” said Premier in a statement. 

Zimbabwe is believed to have one of the largest lithium deposits in the world, with estimates putting reserves at around 11 million tonnes. The mineral is primarily found in the Bikita area, in the southern part of the country.

Despite this potential, mining for lithium in Zimbabwe is still in the early stages. There are currently only a few small-scale operations in the country, and the production is not yet significant enough to have a significant impact on the economy. However, the government has expressed interest in developing the lithium industry and sees it as a potential source of growth and revenue.

One of the main challenges facing the development of the lithium industry in Zimbabwe is a lack of infrastructure. The Bikita area, where the majority of the deposits are located, is remote and underdeveloped. This makes it difficult to transport the lithium to market, and also raises the cost of production. Additionally, there is a shortage of skilled labor in the area, which further complicates the situation.

Another challenge is a lack of investment in the industry. Despite the potential for growth, investors have been hesitant to put money into the lithium sector in Zimbabwe due to the country's political and economic instability. This has made it difficult for companies to secure the funding they need to develop their operations.

Despite these challenges, there are a few companies that are working to develop the lithium industry in Zimbabwe. For example, one Australian mining company, Prospect Resources, which has been working to develop the Arcadia lithium mine sold the project to China’s Zhejiang Huayou. 

Another company, Zimbabwe Lithium Company, is working to develop the Kamativi Tailings lithium project, which is located in the Kamativi area, in the north west of Zimbabwe.  The company is focused on developing the mine and building a processing plant to extract the lithium.