Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ)’s Arcadia Lithium Mine has kicked off 2025 with a remarkable production surge, reporting 128,348.68 tonnes of spodumene concentrates in the first quarter—a clear indicator of its accelerating output and growing significance in Zimbabwe’s lithium sector.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The mine’s spodumene production soared from 34,057 tonnes in January to 50,500 tonnes by March 2025, marking a 48.3% increase in just three months. February’s output of 43,791.68 tonnes further solidified the upward trend, reflecting optimized operations and robust demand for the battery mineral.
This performance builds on Arcadia’s record-breaking 2024, when lithium concentrate exports surged 41% year-on-year to nearly 400,000 tonnes, as reported by Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, PLZ’s parent company. The mine’s rapid scaling underscores its pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s ambition to become a global lithium hub.
The production spike aligns with soaring global demand for lithium, a critical component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy storage. Arcadia’s resource base—58.3 million tonnes at 1.21% Li₂O grade—positions it as one of Africa’s largest and most strategic hard-rock lithium deposits, with a mine life exceeding nine years.
“Arcadia is no longer just a mine; it’s a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s energy transition,” said an industry analyst. “Huayou Cobalt’s aggressive investment has transformed it into a model of efficiency and vertical integration.”
A key milestone in 2024 was the launch of construction for Arcadia’s 50,000-tonne-per-annum lithium sulfate plant, designed to process concentrates into higher-value lithium salts domestically. This move aligns with Zimbabwe’s push for local beneficiation, reducing reliance on raw mineral exports and capturing more value within the country.
“The sulfate plant will slash logistics costs and position Zimbabwe as a player in the midstream lithium market,” noted PLZ in its annual report.
Arcadia’s success has galvanised Zimbabwe’s lithium sector, contributing to the nation’s achievement of a US$0.5 billion lithium export milestone under its US$12 billion mining roadmap of 2023.
Competitors like Bikita Minerals and Zulu Lithium are also expanding, cementing Zimbabwe’s status as a top-tier lithium producer.
With Q1 2025 production already exceeding expectations and the sulfate plant nearing completion, Arcadia is poised to further elevate Zimbabwe’s role in the global battery supply chain. The mine is not just exporting lithium—it’s powering Zimbabwe’s industrial and green energy future.
