Munyaradzi Blessing Doma
Huayou Cobalt continues to demonstrate confidence in Zimbabwe’s mining sector with a US$400 million investment through its subsidiary, Arcadia Technology Zimbabwe, for the construction of the country’s—and Africa’s—first lithium sulphate plant of its kind.
The ATZ plant, located next to another Huayou Cobalt subsidiary, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe in Goromonzi, is currently under construction, with completion scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
Speaking during a media tour of the plant and local road projects on Thursday, Yu Long, Environmental, Social, and Governance Director, said the construction reflects the government’s call to add value to lithium.
“Notably, the plant is the first of its kind in Zimbabwe and Africa, and the third globally.
Huayou Cobalt has invested US$400 million in its construction, implementing only cutting-edge technology in the industry. The plant will produce 50,000 tonnes of lithium sulphate per annum.
“In addition, Goromonzi District and the nation as a whole will benefit significantly from employment opportunities, with the plant set to employ more than 1,000 people, both locally and from other areas,” Long said.
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He added: “The lithium sulphate plant is a direct response to the government’s call to add value to lithium, aligning with the National Development Strategy 1 goal of moving the economy up the value chain and achieving structural transformation.
“This also anticipates the government’s upcoming ban on lithium concentrate exports, set for January 2027. The plant represents an additional step in beneficiation within the lithium value chain and will strengthen Zimbabwe’s position in the global lithium battery materials supply chain.”
Henry Zhu, ATZ’s Managing Director, said the lithium sulphate plant is expected to be a game-changer for Zimbabwe, highlighting its role in stimulating local economic growth, creating jobs, and contributing to the country’s economic development.
“This investment aligns with the government’s vision to increase local value addition in the mining sector and achieve an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
“The lithium sulphate plant is a major investment leveraging Goromonzi’s rich lithium resources to produce high-quality lithium sulphate. This product is a precursor to lithium carbonate, which is used in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and other modern technologies.
“The plant is a game-changer for our economy. It has already created jobs, stimulated local economic activity, and showcases Zimbabwe’s potential as a major player in the global lithium market,” Zhu said.
Mine Manager Khonza Dube added that the ATZ plant, the first of its kind in Zimbabwe and Africa, will process concentrate from their concentrator plant.
He explained that the lithium sulphate plant consists of two main sections: the Pyrometallurgy Section, which uses high temperatures, and the Hydrometallurgy Section, which uses water to extract lithium.
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