Story by Theophilus Chuma
ZIMBABWE’S lithium sector has received a major boost after Sandawana Mine secured international certification confirming nearly 40 million tonnes of lithium resources, strengthening the country’s position as a leading global producer of the critical mineral.
The Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC), the internationally recognised code for reporting exploration results, mineral resources and ore reserves, has confirmed a JORC-compliant resource of 39.9 million tonnes at the mine.
The certification is regarded as the highest international reporting standard and is expected to enhance investor confidence while supporting Zimbabwe’s value-addition ambitions in the lithium sector.
Sandawana Mine, which spans 3,800 hectares and is divided into Blocks A, B and C, is one of the strategic mining assets under the Mutapa Investment Fund.
Mutapa Energy Resources Chief Executive Officer Mr Innocent Rukweza described the certification as a landmark achievement.
“It is my singular honour to announce that, to the best of our knowledge, we are the first Zimbabwean mine with measured resources constituting 72 percent of our total resource. Most mines are well below that threshold, but ours stands at 72 percent.
“We now have a JORC-confirmed resource of 39.9 million tonnes, with 28.7 million tonnes classified as measured resources, representing the highest level of confidence. The remaining balance is largely indicated and inferred.
“This means the resource has been verified by a competent person, making it bankable and attractive to investors. Besides lithium, the resource also contains six associated elements, although only lithium, tantalum and niobium can currently be extracted economically.”
The JORC certification is expected to underpin the mine’s long-term development, with the confirmed resource projected to support operations for up to 10 years.
Mr Rukweza said the company is already investing in downstream processing to maximise value from the resource.
“We are developing a lithium concentrator, which is one of the initiatives we are undertaking to value-add on this finding.”
The internationally verified resource is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s drive to beneficiate its mineral wealth and attract investment into the country’s expanding lithium industry.
