Huayou Cobalt, the Chinese firm developing the Arcadia lithium project, has said it has engaged local contractors for works being done at the establishment, as a way of empowering local companies.
Prince Sunduzani
The company, which announced a project which will create about 1000 jobs, has said contrary to the belief that they are using Chinese contractors, the company has been engaging local contractors for various works from the onset.
The company said it has used different competent contractors at various stages of the project.
“Our contractors are locally registered companies. Kacee electrical contractors build power lines for us, Speedlink handles import and export business for us, we buy steel from Steel Centre and BSI, and our security services, EIA reports and feasibility studies are prepared by locally registered companies,” said the company last week.
“In addition to the management and technical personnel, more than 75 % of the contractor’s employees are recruited from nearby villages and strictly abide by our rules on recruitment and use of employees.”
Huayou, a worldwide firm headquartered in Tongxiang, China, announced recently the acquisition of the Arcadia lithium project from Prospect Resources Plc and minority shareholders. Following the acquisition, the business stated that it would invest $300 million over the following year to develop the mine and build a processing plant.
According to the firm, the mine would have a capacity of 4.5 million tonnes of ore per year, which translates to around 400 000 tonnes of lithium concentrate per year. Huayou’s large investment can drastically impact the local community and promote Zimbabwe’s economic growth.
The company becomes one of Zimbabwe’s biggest mining houses and is set to contribute towards the attainment of the US$12 Billion Mining Economy by 2023 vision set out by the Mnangagwa led government.