By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma

The Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Engineer Polite Kambamura, has challenged other lithium mining companies to invest in value addition and beneficiation, saying Huayou Cobalt has demonstrated that the Government's vision can be achieved.

Speaking during a tour of Arcadia Technology Zimbabwe, a sister company to Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe under Huayou Cobalt in Goromonzi, Kambamura commended the company for honouring its commitment to establish lithium processing plants following the Government's push for local beneficiation.

The Minister described the commissioning of Africa's first lithium sulphate plant in Zimbabwe as a major milestone for the country's mining sector.

"We are very happy as Government to be witnessing this milestone under the Second Republic, especially after Government's support for local value addition and beneficiation," said Kambamura.

He also said that the lithium sulphate plant has an installed processing capacity of 50,000 tonnes per year and is currently operating at about 60 percent capacity, with production expected to increase.

Kambamura added that the company is also nearing completion of a lithium carbonate plant, which is expected to be commissioned in August.

"They will be producing lithium sulphate and they will be producing lithium carbonate. This is a good show, especially considering that Government is not going to rest until we produce the first lithium battery in Africa."

The Minister further revealed that Zimbabwe's long-term goal is to move beyond exporting raw minerals and instead manufacture finished products such as lithium batteries and solar panels.

"The thrust of Government is to produce finished products from lithium. I would like to thank Huayou Cobalt for leading by example. I would like to urge other lithium producers to follow suit," he said.

The Minister said the Government was satisfied with the progress the company had made in implementing the commitments it made following the February 2026 ban on the export of lithium concentrates.

He said that while some commitments had already been fulfilled, others were still being implemented.

"We have seen they have managed to do some, and some are still a work in progress. We will be looking at issues such as the establishment of laboratories, skills and knowledge transfer, training for Zimbabweans, placing our people in top managerial positions, tax compliance and audited financial statements," he said.

Minister Kambamura added that the Government remains committed to ensuring that Zimbabwe derives maximum value from its vast lithium resources through beneficiation and local processing.

He also reiterated that the January 2027 deadline for lithium producers to comply with beneficiation requirements remains unchanged.

"The producers were given notice in June 2025. The February 2026 ban was just a reminder. They have to construct lithium sulphate plants. The other big four have to follow suit," he said.

PLZ Mine Manager Mthokozisi Goliath said the lithium sulphate plant is currently in the post-commissioning phase, with production gradually increasing as the company calibrates equipment and optimises operating parameters.

He said the plant is currently producing at about 60 percent of its design capacity, adding that as the company continues with calibration and optimisation, production is expected to increase steadily until it reaches full capacity.

The tour was also attended by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana.