Story by Theophilus Chuma
MUTAPA Investment Fund’s mineral resources arm, Mutapa Energy and Minerals, will begin construction of a lithium processing plant at Sandawana Mine in May as Zimbabwe accelerates value addition ahead of a planned 2027 ban on lithium concentrate exports.
The project marks a significant step in the country’s push for beneficiation under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), with Sandawana’s estimated 200 million tonnes of ore reserves expected to boost national lithium output.
Chief Executive Officer Mr Innocent Rukweza said preparations are at an advanced stage to mobilise investment and commence construction of a three million tonne per annum concentrator plant.
“So on that basis, we are also partnering and we are going to have to start constructing a concentrator plant, a three million tonnes per annum plant, which we are hoping to start in earnest maybe by May or June thereabout, and the construction phase is going to be 18 to 24 months,” he said.
“We are hoping that it is done earlier and will produce concentrates.”
Mr Rukweza said the company is aligning its plans with Government’s beneficiation policy, which will prohibit the export of lithium concentrates from around 2027.
“In conjunction with NDS2, there is going to be a ban around 2027 on the export of the concentrates. We have started to receive interest from partners who can assist us even to set up lithium carbonate plants, which is the final product that is used in battery making,” he said.
Beyond plant construction, Mutapa Energy will intensify exploration to firm up resource estimates on Blocks B and C at Sandawana.
“According to the NDS2, one of the things that we are going to prioritise at Sandawana is to intensify our resource definition so that we identify the resources that we have on Block B and Block C,” Mr Rukweza said.
“We are going to ensure that we have an aggressive exploration programme which we expect to complete by the end of this year, 2026.”
Zimbabwe ranks among the world’s top 10 holders of lithium resources. Major projects include Sandawana in Mberengwa, Bikita Minerals, Kamativi in Hwange and Prospect Lithium in Goromonzi.
Mr Rukweza said lithium prices have begun recovering, sparking renewed investor interest.
“In the period up to current, lithium prices have started to pick up and there’s a lot of interest that is being generated. People who want to partner, people who want to invest,” he said.
“We are very much committed to the beneficiation of our lithium.”
The International Energy Agency estimates that about 55 new lithium mines will be required globally by 2035 to meet demand for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems.
With significant reserves and expanding processing capacity, Zimbabwe is positioning itself to play a key role in closing the projected supply gap.
