Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
ZIMBABWE is recording milestones in the mining sector, with the Arcadia Lithium Project in Goromonzi becoming the first producer and exporter of lithium salt in Africa.
Government’s ban on unprocessed lithium exports positioned the country as an emerging force in the global battery minerals supply chain, as the electric vehicle and energy storage industries are fast-growing.
Management at Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe described the inaugural export of lithium salt as a defining moment, not only for Zimbabwe, but for Africa’s participation in the global energy transition, with the entity creating at least 4 000 jobs locally.
“We have employed 2 000 workers directly and another 2 000 indirectly, and we are proud of that. In terms of power generation, we have a 70-megawatt power plant that was built concurrently with the processing plant. The power plant is meant to supply electricity to both PLZ and ATZ, and we are hopeful that by the second half of 2026 both entities will be fully operational.
“Arcadia Technologies Zimbabwe processes lithium concentrate into lithium sulphate, which is what we are now producing here at PLZ. We started our first exports in April 2026, and so far we are happy with the progress. Our plant has a production capacity of 50 000 tonnes per annum, which is the target we are currently working towards for the lithium sulphate plant,” PLZ Public Relations Manager, Patience Chizodza said.
The entity has also become a beacon of excellence in terms of promoting corporate social responsibility programmes.
“This is a success story of Government policy aimed at promoting beneficiation and value addition. The project is also contributing to employment creation and technology transfer. The company is assisting with the rehabilitation of roads and the construction of dams for the benefit of local communities,” Mashonaland East Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Tavabarira Kutamahufa said.
Special Advisor to the President on Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes, Dr Joram Gumbo, has commended the company for embracing the value addition agenda.
“There is a huge difference here since President Mnangagwa visited this place a few years ago. There has been remarkable development, and the company has complied with the Government directive to value add our minerals.
“The company is taking a leading role in promoting social responsibility through the construction of schools, clinics and roads. Other companies should emulate this example. This mine is located in a rural area, and devolution is becoming a reality and a success. The majority of the 2 000 people employed here are from the surrounding communities, while about 4 000 people are benefitting directly or indirectly from the project.
“The company is also constructing a power plant, which is a major step towards the country’s vision of producing batteries for electric vehicles. Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe is a cornerstone of our national drive to build a multi-billion-dollar mining economy,” he said.
The Arcadia Lithium Project has become a model for Zimbabwe’s broader mining transformation strategy, seeking to maximise returns from its vast mineral wealth.
