Bikita Minerals key in global battery industry revolution

Lithium-producer, Bikita Minerals has the potential to emerge as a key player in the rise and popularity of the battery manufacturing industry, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has hinted.

Rudairo Mapuranga

The President speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Bikita Minerals Spodumene project in Bikita, Masvingo yesterday, said the mine will establish itself as significant in the battery manufacturing sector.

“With its investment Bikita Minerals will emerge as a key player in the battery manufacturing industry as well as other industries along the value chain,” President Mnangagwa said.

China Sinomine Resource Group, the owners who early this year acquired the project will invest US$200 million to build a plant and expand its existing mining operations as they seek to play a significant role in the achievement of the US$0.5 billion lithium industry by 2023.

For years Bikita Minerals has played an important role in global lithium production and is ranked as the fifth biggest lithium producer.

According to the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon Winston Chitando, the emergency of Sinomine at Bikita has seen the mine proving to be very significant in the lithium industry.

“Since Sinomine acquisition of Bikita Minerals, the firm has invested further in lithium exploration right now they have 7 drill rigs which are working in the concession.

“Sinomine has taken efforts to optimize what is on the ground and right now we have exports permits of Bikita Minerals which amount to US$40 million more than doubting the highest peak produced by Bikita over the past 5 years,” Minister Chitando said.