Arcadia lithium processing plant 80 percent complete
There is substantial progress on the construction of the Arcadia lithium project processing plant which is expected to be the biggest lithium processing plant in Africa.
Rudairo Mapuranga
According to Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ) processing Manager George Togara, the company is targeting to commission the plant in February 2023 and is forecasting to process over 4 million tonnes of ore per year.
“The processing plant is about 80% complete. For a project of this magnitude that started ground clearing in June, this is a tremendous achievement. We are targeting to complete construction by the end of January 2023 and go straight into commissioning and ramp-up. Once complete, we will be pushing 4.5 million tons of ore through the plant for the next 15 years. This will see us produce approximately 450000t per annum of petalite and spodumene concentrates for export,” Togara said.
Factors hindering the progress
Power outages remain one of the biggest challenges in the mining industry with the Arcadia lithium project not spared. Power challenges have prevented contractors from working round-the-clock shifts.
The country has suffered acute power shortages, as successive droughts have resulted in poor inflows into the Kariba Dam, simultaneously, ageing coal-fired power stations have repeatedly broken down aided by the shortage of electricity in the Southern African region which the country has been relying on for supplement.
Clearance of trucks carrying critical consignments at the country’s borders has been a challenge not only to Arcadia but to the mining industry at large.
PLZ has invested US$300 million in the rapid development of a lithium mine and a process plant at the Arcadia lithium project as it is geared to contribute significantly towards the attainment of the government’s vision to achieve a US$12 billion mining industry by the end of 2023.
Recommendations
The government should engage Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) to speed up the process of clearance to ensure project work according to their targets.
Power challenges in the mining industry should be addressed, the government should give all mining companies licenses to produce their own power. The licenses should not be only limited to green energy but extended to thermal and hydropower.
Should power constraints continue unabated the attainment of the us$12 billion industry by 2023 is headed for failure.