The upcoming Critical Minerals Africa Summit – taking place from 6–7 November in Cape Town – will feature a dedicated panel showcasing Africa’s lithium market prospects. Zimbabwe will be a key topic during the discussion, with speakers delving into investment opportunities, strategies for strengthening value addition and the outlook regarding regional integration. 

Consortium to Build Lithium Facility

State-owned mining company Kuvimba House signed a $310 million Build, Operate and Transfer agreement in July 2024 with British and Chinese investors to construct a three million ton per annum lithium processing plant. Situated at the Sandawana Mine, the facility will feature a 600,000 tons per annum lithium concentrator, which will be operational within 18 months. The concentrator will be initially owned by the consortium for a period of six years before being transferred to the Zimbabwean government. Operations at the mine began in January 2023.

Rwizi Rukuru Commissions Lithium Processing Project

Chinese mining company Rwizi Rukuru commissioned a 300-ton-per-day lithium concentrator in April 2024. Located in Mutoko in the country’s Mashonaland East province, the facility is the province's third lithium processing plant. Rwizi Rukuru is currently conducting tests before fully commencing operations at both the concentrator and the mine.

Shengxiang Investments Completes Goromonzi Facility

Chinese miner Shengxiang Investments completed the construction and installation of a lithium processing facility in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East province in July 2023. The facility has a capacity of 1,000 tons of lithium per day, with testing already complete. The company plans to increase capacity to 2,000 tons per day. Shengxiang Investments invested $40 million in the construction of the facility.

Sinomine Begins Production at Bikita

Chinese mining company Sinomine Resource Group commissioned a $300 million spodumene processing plant at the Bikita Lithium Mine in July 2023. The infrastructure is part of Sinomine’s efforts to expand production following the acquisition of the project from South African mining firm African Minerals for $180 million in January 2022. The new plant aims to increase Bikita Mine’s lithium production capacity to 300,000 tons per annum.

Chengxin Lithium Commissions Concentrator

Chinese company Chengxin Lithium Group commissioned a lithium concentrator at the Sabi Star Mine in May 2023, producing 300,000 tons of lithium annually. The milestone is part of the firm's strategy to boost production at the mine after acquiring a 51% stake from lithium mining firm Max Mind in November 2021.

Huayou Cobalt Begins Lithium Operations

Chinese mining company Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt completed the construction of a $300 million lithium concentrator in March 2023. Located at the Arcadia project in Harare, the refinery has a production capacity of 400,000 metric tons of lithium annually. Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt acquired the Arcadia project from Australian miner Prospect Resources for $422 million in April 2022.

CMA 2024 serves to position Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2024 conference on November 4 - 8, offering delegates access to the full scope of energy, mining and finance leaders in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting [email protected]