PLZ challenged to consider making lithium batterie...

PLZ challenged to consider making lithium batteries

Patricia Mashiri

The Minister of State Mashonaland East, Appollonia Munzverengwi, has challenged Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe company to consider making lithium batteries for export.

Speaking during a tour of Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe Mine, Minister Muzverengwi said initially, PLZ were mining lithium and wanted to export it unprocessed but because of Zimbabwean which say companies should mine and process, PLZ is now mining and processing.

“We have the raw materials in abundance, what’s needed is the proper equipment to value-add and produce lithium batteries. What’s should stop us to export lithium batteries to South Africa, Zambia, the African region or even beyond.

“I’m challenging Mr Henry here and your staff to say: ‘go back to the drawing board’. We want to add value and produce various products for export,” she said.

The Minister added that for the past three years, Mashonaland’s gross domestic product value was in third place after Harare and Bulawayo. With the coming in of PLZ and Radnor Mine, they hope to surpass Harare and Bulawayo.

Mashonaland GDP was anchored on agriculture only.

PLZ Assistant General Manager, Rugare Dobbie, said they are trying their best to bring employment to the Goromonzi area from where they are operating.

“We currently have more than 2 000 workers at the mine, 80% from around Zimbabwe and 65% from the locals.”

PLZ started exporting on April 20, 2023 and was officially opened on July 5, 2023.