Zim seeks partnerships to start manufacturing lith...

Zim seeks partnerships to start manufacturing lithium products

Zim Now Writer

Mines and Mining Development Minister Zhemu Soda says Zimbabwe needs strategic partnerships to begin manufacturing products such as lithium batteries and lithium carbonate.

He said mineral beneficiation and value addition in the lithium sub-sector is of supreme importance given the country’s huge lithium deposits.

In line with the National Development Strategy 1, Minister Soda said the government's drive is to ensure mineral beneficiation and value addition to achieve the country’s Vision 2030.

“We need to produce lithium carbonate and, ultimately, produce lithium batteries in the country,” he said at the launch of the Zimbabwe-Chinese Energy Mining Enterprise Association on Monday.

“Strategic partnerships are, therefore, critical for the development of our sector. The association is, therefore, expected to support the government in championing lithium beneficiation and value addition.

“As Zimbabwe, we need to strategically position ourselves within the global lithium value chain, we therefore need to move up the value chain,” Soda said.

He urged investors to establish approved processing plants to be able to export beneficiated lithium in terms of the law because government banned the export of all base mineral ores, including lithium through Statutory Instruments 5 of 2023 and Statutory Instrument 57 of 2023.

**Mines and Mining Development Minister Zhemu Soda**

Soda emphasised that the creation of the Zimbabwe-Chinese Energy Association was key to reinforcing the relationship between lithium miners and government, while safeguarding the rights and interests of its members.

He granted the association permission to make policy recommendations and urged them to work closely with the Chamber of Mines.

“The formation of this association is important as it acts as the bridge that strengthens exchanges between the lithium miners and other stakeholders including the government. The association will also safeguard the rights and interests of its members and promote the development of the lithium sector.

“I am confident that the Association of Chinese New Energy Miners in Zimbabwe will be a success. We expect to share notes and data for the development of the mining sector. Feel free to suggest any policy recommendations for the good of the sector,” he added.

Zimbabwe is the world’s sixth largest lithium producer.