Bikita Minerals sets aside US$10m for new bridge o...

Bikita Minerals sets aside US$10m for new bridge over Save River to replace Birchenough

Patience Muchemwa

Zimbabwe’s biggest lithium producer, Bikita Minerals, has set aside US$10 million towards the construction of a new bridge over the Save River.

The new bridge will to replace the Birchenough Bridge, which at the time of its completion in 1935, was the third longest single arch suspension bridge in the world.

Speaking to Zim Now, Bikita Minerals Public Relations Officer Collin Nikisi said all is set for the project and they are waiting for approval from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development although they have drafted and presented a Memorandum of Understanding to the minister.

“The budget is in place, feasibility studies done, designs done. All we are waiting for is approval of MOU by Ministry of Transport and once that is done, construction works will start immediately.”

Nikisi confirmed that when approved the project is likely to take about a year to complete, barring any disturbances along the way.

“The time frame for completion is 6-12 months, barring an unforeseen circumstances. Recently, a team of Chinese civil engineers visited the construction site.

“Initially, we have set aside US$10 million. The construction of a new Birchenough Bridge is an undertaking we made to Government in 2022 when we acquired the mine.”

Nikisi also added that the bridge will provide vital economic linkage between Masvingo and Manicaland.

“It also provides passage to South Africa and Mozambique.”

Bikita Minerals has drilled 33 boreholes in Bikita West, Masvingo North and Masvingo West, enabling communities to have access to clean water and improved hygiene in homes.

The lithium miner also constructed Shumbaimwe Clinic, donated construction materials to Makwirivindi Clinic, provision of free ambulance services and mine’s resident medical doctor and quarterly free medical outreach by Chinese medical doctors to enhanced health care for surrounding communities.

Bikita Minerals, which employs about 1 150 with another 1 400 being employed by their contractors, has also invested in the erection of the Zesa-Tokwe powerline to help with electricity for communities in Zaka, Gutu and Bikita. They have also helped in the revival of a schools feeding programme for seven primary schools in Gutu and Bikita districts among many other projects that the firm has rolled out across Masvingo Province.

Added Nikisi: “We have spent more than US$$500 000 towards the road maintenance and construction of Nyika-Kamungoma, Beardmore-Rusununguko, Bikita-Gutu, Marinda to Makwirivindi roads for improved access to schools, clinics and administrative centres.”

Bikita Minerals is one of the several lithium mining projects that are taking shape across the country, which include Arcadia, Prospect, Sabi Star, Zulu and Kamativi among others while processing plants have been opened in Goromonzi and Buhera.