Story by Bruce Chahwanda
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says his administration is focusing on mineral value addition and beneficiation towards propelling economic growth.
He was speaking at the commissioning of Bikita Minerals Mine Spodumene and Petalite plants in Bikita this Wednesday.
Barely a year after the groundbreaking ceremony at Bikita Minerals for the construction of the Spodumene and Petalite plants by President Mnangagwa, the lithium firm has completed the expansion project.
The projects are in line with government policy of beneficiation and value addition of minerals to ensure the country derives maximum benefit.
President Mnangagwa unveiled the plaque and toured the floatation plant to assess the value-addition process.
“The investment is in sync with my administration’s focus on mineral value addition and beneficiation towards propelling the multifaceted growth of our economy. As Zimbabwe, we equally remain alive to our broader strategic responsibility to supply vital resources to a vast number of global industries, for shared prosperity. We will, therefore, continue to exercise good stewardship over the many natural resources in our country, by ensuring that stakeholders in the sector practice responsible mining that guarantees environmental sustainability,” he said.
The Head of State further called for additional investments to exploit other value chains for increased revenue.
“Riding on these raw materials, I call for additional investments in related value chains such as the manufacturing of glass, enamel and ceramics, more so given the rapid expansion of our construction and related manufacturing industrial base. The newly constructed spodumene plant can produce 300 000 tonnes of chemical-grade Spodumene concentrate per annum which will be ready for export to with government’s requirements. I expect that the output from these new plants will not only create more direct and indirect jobs but result in increased revenue to the discus while contributing to improved infrastructure and social services,” he said.
President Mnangagwa commended Bikita Minerals for setting aside US$10 million for the construction of a new bridge to complement the existing Birchenough Bridge.
“The economy of Zimbabwe continues on an upward growth trajectory, across all sectors. This has resulted in the need for the expansion and modernization of our infrastructure to facilitate trade, commerce and the movement of both goods and our people. I, therefore, applaud Bikita Minerals for setting aside US$10 million towards the construction of a new bridge that will complement the existing Birchenough Bridge as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility projects,” said the President.
Expansion of the old petalite plant will increase output to 480 000 tonnes per annum from the current 30 000 tonnes.
The lithium firm has invested more than US$300 million for the beneficiation and value-addition projects, creating 800 employment opportunities.
