Lithium processing plant ready to roll
Story by Jerald Sasa
THE establishment of a lithium processing plant in Goromonzi owned by Shengxiang Investment is progressing well, with the first phase having been completed.
Equipment for the first phase worth US$15 million has already been installed and will have a capacity to process 1 000 tons of ore per day. The second phase will have a processing capacity of 1 500 tons per day.
Shengxiang Investment managing director, Mr Terrence Ncube said, “We have since completed the first phase which we have since had a dry run to see if it is functioning well and we are so far excited. We could have started full production already, but we are facing serious water challenges which we hope to be addressed.”
The local community continues to immensely benefit from the establishment of the lithium plant.
One of the workers said, “I came here with no skills, but now am a good welder thanks to the programme.”
“This plant has assisted our area through employment creation as most youths have now been employed,” said another.
Local women are also benefiting from the establishment of the lithium plant as they have been contracted to supply food to workers at the plant.
A women beneficiary said, “As local women, we are now empowered as we are supplying food to workers here and we appreciate it.”
“These are the downstream effects we have from this mine as we are supplying them with food and getting paid,” said another beneficiary.
The company has committed to invest US$30 million within its first two years of operation a development set to boost the processing of lithium.
The plant is the second biggest lithium investment in Goromonzi District after the commissioning of Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe this year.
