KMC’s Phase 2 Processing Plant Commissioning Moved to September
The commissioning of the Kamativi Mining Company (KMC)’s Phase Two processing plant has been rescheduled to September from the initial schedule of July 2024, according to a press release seen by Mining Zimbabwe.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The 300,000-tonne spodumene concentrate per annum processing plant was initially slated for completion in July.
KMC cited challenges in meeting its ambitious timelines as the reason for the delay.
“Construction of the Kamativi Mining Company’s Phase Two processing plant is making headway, with completion now scheduled for September 2024. KMC had initially projected to complete Phase Two construction by June 2024, with a trial run set for July 2024,” KMC stated.
The company encountered an unforeseen change in maritime transport, leading to a delay in the installation process, highlighting the unpredictable nature of logistics.
“While we had not anticipated delays in the final stages of Phase Two construction, we encountered an unforeseen change in maritime transport, leading to a slight delay in the installation process. We have therefore deferred Phase Two commissioning to September 2024,” KMC explained.
Following construction, the commissioning phase involves rigorous testing and verification of the processing plant’s systems, machinery, and processes to ensure they function as intended before operationalizing the Phase Two spodumene plant.
“Thereafter, we anticipate the Phase Two project to deliver its first output during the last quarter of 2024. The designed ore processing capacity for Phase Two is set to process two million tonnes of ore into 300,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate per annum,” the lithium miner noted.
The successful implementation of Phase One sets a strong precedent for the expected outcomes of Phase Two.
“Last year, KMC completed construction of Phase One of the processing plant, commissioned on 23rd December 2023, before official commissioning by His Excellency, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday, 12th April 2024. Phase One has a production capacity of handling 300,000 tonnes of ore, producing 50,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate per annum,” KMC recalled.
When the plant is complete, it will be a 2.3 million-tonne-per-year processing unit producing over 300,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate.
“When both phases of our processing plant are complete, we will have a combined annual production of 2.3 million tonnes of ore, producing 350,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate, which will be exported,” KMC added.
KMC has heeded the government’s call to contribute to the vision of achieving an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
“As an investor, KMC is playing its part to contribute to Vision 2030 through lithium-related value chains. We have heeded the call by the Government of Zimbabwe to promote beneficiation, and we are delighted to share that we submitted our beneficiation plan to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development,” KMC asserted.
This international partnership highlights the global nature of the mining industry and the strategic importance of KMC’s operations.
“Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) is a joint venture operated and controlled by Sichuan PD Technology Group, a subsidiary of the Chinese-listed entity Yahua Group. The local joint venture partner is Kamativi Tin Mines Limited, wholly owned and controlled by Mutapa Investment Fund through Defold Mine (Private) Limited. Yahua Group is ranked fifth in the world for being a top lithium hydro-peroxide and explosives supplier. The Group has over 6,000 employees in 70 subsidiaries distributed throughout Australia, China, Ethiopia, Namibia, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe,” KMC explained.