Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
ZIMBABWE is accelerating value addition and beneficiation in the mining sector, with significant investments in lithium and granite processing reinforcing the country’s industrialisation drive under Vision 2030.
The developments came into focus during the second day of the Mashonaland East Media Tour, led by the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services on Friday.
The tour, held alongside a technical visit by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, began at Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ), where delegates witnessed progress in lithium beneficiation, including the production of lithium sulphate and the construction of a lithium carbonate plant supported by a dedicated thermal power station.
PLZ Mine Manager, Mr Mthokozisi Goliath, said the company had invested in a 70-megawatt thermal power station to meet the growing energy demands of its operations.
“We have two major plants, a concentrator plant and a lithium sulphate plant, both of which require significant energy. This prompted us to construct a 70-megawatt thermal power station, completed in a record nine months. We are also constructing a lithium carbonate plant, which will require additional power, and generation capacity will be increased accordingly,” he said.
Mines and Mining Development Minister, Honourable Polite Kambamura said the investments reflect Government’s policy of maximising value from Zimbabwe’s mineral resources.
“The lithium sulphate plant has a production capacity of 50 000 tonnes annually and is operating at 60 percent capacity. We expect this to increase to 80 percent by the first quarter of 2027. The lithium carbonate plant is 90 percent complete and is expected to be commissioned in August. This brings Zimbabwe closer to producing Africa’s first lithium battery,” he said.
He also commended the company for investing more than US$3 million in corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo said PLZ’s investments were transforming surrounding communities.
“The company has developed eight kilometres of the 22-kilometre road linking the mine to the highway, invested over US$3 million in corporate social responsibility programmes, created 4 000 jobs—half of them directly—and continues to contribute millions of dollars in taxes,” he said.
The delegation later visited Natural Stones Export Company in Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe, where officials observed progress in local granite processing.
Director of Production, Mr David Van Breda, said the company had invested US$5 million, with total investment expected to reach nearly US$9 million on completion of the project.
“We currently operate four multi-wire saws around the clock, exporting up to 150 truckloads per month. Two more machines are expected to be operational by September or early October, increasing production capacity by 50 percent,” he said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana said the two-day media tour highlighted the impact of Government policies promoting beneficiation and rural industrialisation.
“Today’s focus was on value addition and beneficiation. Following the ban on raw mineral exports, Zimbabwe has accelerated mineral processing. Lithium sulphate is already being produced, while the lithium carbonate plant is nearing completion, bringing us closer to manufacturing lithium batteries locally. Granite is also now being processed locally, creating employment and supporting the devolution agenda championed by President Mnangagwa,” he said.
The projects underscore Zimbabwe’s drive to expand value addition, strengthen rural industrialisation and increase the mining sector’s contribution to economic growth under the National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030.
