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Leonard Ncube, [email protected]

A FEW years ago, Zimbabwe was not aware of lithium deposits at the old disused Kamativi Tin Mine in Hwange district, Matabeleland North.

Once meaningful extraction begins, Matabeleland North will become the biggest contributor to lithium mining in Zimbabwe with US$2 billion worth of lithium from Kamativi.

Lithium is set to become Zimbabwe’s third biggest mineral export after gold and platinum group metals. The mineral is being mined at Zulu Lithium, Sandawana Mine, Bikita Mine, Mutoko, Chiredzi, Goromonzi, and parts of Buhera.

Located close to 90km south-east of Hwange town, Kamativi Tin Mine was closed in 1994 when the international price of tin plummeted to unsustainable levels.

The tin mine was at the time employing about 3 000 workers and still had a life span of over 40 years.

Kamativi Mining Company is a Joint Venture Company which is operated and controlled by a Sichuan PD Technology Group which is a subsidiary of a Chinese Listed entity, Yahua Group. The local Joint Venture Partner is Kamativi Tin Mines Limited which is wholly owned and controlled by a private company, called Defold Mine (Private) Limited.

Kamativi Mining Company started operations in 2019 and it is focused on lithium exploration, mining and processing within Kamativi.

The closure of the mine resulted in the loss of many jobs and opportunities for surrounding communities. It will now be reopened as a lithium multi-element ore body operation under a US$1,4 billion investment.

Government has said seven minerals will be mined at the mine with plans underway to construct a 20MW solar plant in Kamativi.

The international prices of tin are on a rebound hovering between $15 000 and $22 000 per tonne.

Due to the emerging electric motor vehicle industry, there is increased international demand for the lithium mineral known as “white oil”, which is used for manufacturing batteries.

Zimbabwe is recognised as one of the most prospective countries in Africa for pegmatite-hosted lithium.

Kamativi has higher lithium deposits and a mix of minerals tantalite, lithium, beryl, copper, beryllium, value spodumene, pearlite and limestone that could be economically exploited outside of tin.

Speaking during the Matabeleland North Diaspora Investment Conference in Lupane last week, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said Zimbabwe has the largest lithium deposits in Africa.

He said Zimbabwe has over 40 high-value minerals and as such the country is rich in minerals.

“A few years ago we didn’t even know that we have lithium. We are now the most endowed country in Africa and in the world, we are already number five,” said Prof Ncube.

“We have so many rare minerals and in Kamativi, most of you know Kamativi as an old tin mine, there is a dump from the old mine. 

“In that dump, we have only recently discovered it is rich in lithium and the value of that dump is US$2 billion.”–@ncubeleon