By Farai Marapira
Zimbabwe has the largest lithium reserves and mines in Africa. Globally the country ranks high amongst the leading lithium producing and supply countries after Chile, Australia, China, Argentina and Brazil.
The observed exponential global demand for lithium is being driven by the rising production of (E.V's), electric vehicles, and other electronic gadgets across the Technological spectrum. Lithium is also essential for energy transition based on zero carbon emission.
Zimbabwe’s lithium has attracted a myriad of prospective lithium mining investors, with China leading the investment race. To date there are more than seven lithium exploration and mining projects at different development stages, with Chinese companies leading the race.
Zimbabwe, therefore, now stands a better chance of coming clear economically after years of isolation, and sanctions driven economic turmoil. As lithium production develops, the @ZANUPF_Official, government is taking advantage of this huge resource wealth to develop communities and the economy through transparent, accountable and responsible investment decisions. These include statutes on beneficiation and a clear drive towards battery production as further beneficiation within the borders of Zimbabwe in the very near future.
Chinese companies have acquired the largest portfolio of lithium mining projects in Zimbabwe. Some notable Chinese acquisitions include Arcadia Lithium Project acquired by Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt for US$ 422 million from Prospect Resources in 2021 and Bikita Lithium Mine acquired by Sinomine Resource Group (SRG). Bikita mine alone has resources estimated at 11 million metric tonnes.
Besides acquisitions, Chinese investors Eagle Canyon International Group Holding Limited and Pacific Goal Investments have sealed a deal of US$13 billion with the Government for the construction of a, "mine to energy industrial park", to produce lithium-ion batteries.
In March 2023, China Natural Resources entered into an agreement to acquire US-based Williams Minerals (Pvt) Ltd which owns lithium mining rights in Zimbabwe. Lithium is an economic game changer and the shrewd policies of His Excellency, @edmnangagwa, clearly show a trajectory for attaining Vision.