AMN - ZIMBABWE: ZMDC eyes lithium mining at Bikita

Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) is set to start mining lithium deposits in Bikita on the back of increasing demand for the mineral on global markets. This follows the discovery of more deposits in Zimbabwe, prompting a scramble for lithium exploration by foreign investors.

ZMDC acting general manager Luke Akino said there were plans to start exploiting lithium in Bikita.

“We have a plan in place for those lithium concessions and they are not be kept for the future; we are planning on working on the deposits very soon,” he told The Herald Business.

New deposits have been discovered in areas around the capital Harare, prompting the government to prioritise lithium mining. The country also has undeveloped lithium deposits at Mberengwa and Mutoko.

Zimbabwe's lithium exports have generated about $3 million in export revenue since 2013. Locally, lithium is used in glass manufacturing at Zimglass in Gweru.

Zimbabwe is the world’s fifth largest producer of lithium after Australia, Chile, Argentina and China and discovery of more deposits presents an opportunity to increase its share of the market. Other major producers are Brazil, Portugal and the United States.

Apart from ZMDC, other local producers of lithium include Kamativi Tin Mine, Bikita Minerals and Prospect Resources.

The government is also contemplating consolidating lithium produced from different countries, such as DRC, Mozambique, Zambia and Namibia, for processing at a common facility.

Zimbabwe’s mining sector has experienced immense growth over the past few years but has not done enough to optimise returns from the sale of lithium.

Analysts say that increasing investment into exploration is critical for Zimbabwe in order to facilitate the discovery of new mineral deposits.

Within the lithium group of minerals, there are other minerals like petalite, which has potential to return good prices on global markets.

Lithium is used mainly as a component of rechargeable Li-ion batteries and in the manufacture of drugs used treatment for treatment of various types of mental disorders.

www.zmdc.co.zw