Alabara Resources has transitioned its Lupane Gas project into Phase 2, moving directly to mine development after successfully completing confirmatory drilling and establishing potential reserves in the Matabeleland North Province.
The company confirmed the completion of Phase 1 drilling, which reached a depth of 700 meters. This milestone clears the way for the development stage of the project, which aims to harness the area’s vast methane gas reserves for both power generation and vehicle fuel production.
The Lupane-Lubimbi area is estimated to hold one of Southern Africa’s largest gas deposits. According to project details, Zimbabwe potentially possesses "40 trillion cubic feet of potentially recoverable gas in the Lupane-Lubimbi area," making it a significant energy asset.
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Alabara Resources holds rights over a substantial 110,000-hectare area in Lupane. The immediate focus of the project’s second phase is twofold: developing a gas-fired power plant to contribute to national energy security, and establishing facilities to process vehicle fuel-grade gas, offering a cleaner energy alternative for the transport sector.
This project is a key component of the National Development Strategy 1 and is expected to have a transformative economic impact. The company projects the Lupane operation will generate millions of dollars in revenue and create thousands of jobs, significantly boosting the regional economy and helping to address chronic energy shortages across the country.
Alabara Resources has already established a gas laboratory at Lupane State University, facilitating knowledge transfer and building local capacity in gas exploration and development.
Alabara is not alone in the area; other investors, including Tumagole and Shangani Energy Exploration, are actively involved in exploring and developing the Lupane-Lubimbi methane gas field.
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