Zimbabwe's push to move beyond exporting raw lithium is beginning to reshape the country's mining sector, with more than US$1.1 billion invested in value addition projects as the Government intensifies efforts to position the country as a regional battery manufacturing hub.
The commissioning of Africa's first lithium sulphate plant and progress towards the country's first lithium carbonate plant have shifted attention from mineral extraction to local processing, signalling a major step in Zimbabwe's drive to capture more value from its vast lithium resources.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Engineer Polite Kambamura said Zimbabwe had successfully established Africa's first lithium sulphate plant, with a production capacity of 50,000 tonnes per annum.
He said the plant is currently operating at 60 percent of capacity and is expected to reach full production by 2027.
Kambamura said the Government also expects the country's first lithium carbonate plant to be completed by August 2026, paving the way for local battery and solar panel manufacturing.
"We have successfully established Africa's first lithium sulphate plant. It is operating at 60 percent capacity and is expected to reach full capacity by 2027. The lithium carbonate plant will be completed by August 2026 as we move towards battery and solar panel production," he said.
He said Zimbabwe's mineral beneficiation policy was already producing tangible results following the ban on raw lithium exports.
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Kambamura commended Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, Huayou Cobalt and other producers for honouring commitments made after the export restrictions by investing in processing facilities, laboratories, skills transfer and workforce training.
"They have honoured their commitments by building laboratories, transferring skills, training workers and complying with Government policy. We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring Zimbabwe derives maximum benefit from its lithium resources," he said.
Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe has invested more than US$1.1 billion in the country, establishing what is now one of Africa's most integrated lithium value chains.
The investment includes Africa's largest single-capacity dense media separation (DMS) and flotation beneficiation plant, commissioned in February 2023; the 50,000-tonne-per-year Arcadia Technology Zimbabwe lithium sulphate plant, commissioned in December 2025; and the Sandawana Joint Venture with Kuvimba Mining House, launched in 2023.
Mine Manager Mthokozisi Goliath said the lithium sulphate plant combines pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical technologies to produce battery-grade lithium sulphate efficiently.
"The plant has a production capacity of 50,000 tonnes per annum and operates through three production lines. The process starts with roasting for alpha-to-beta spodumene conversion before leaching, counter-current decantation, filtration, evaporation and final product concentration," he said.
Goliath said the integrated processing system enables Zimbabwe to export higher-value lithium products instead of raw minerals, strengthening the country's position in the global clean energy supply chain.
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