Huayou Cobalt Invests US$1.3 Million in Goromonzi Community Project
Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, which owns Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ)’s Arcadia Lithium Mine, has taken a significant step toward uplifting local communities by launching the Goromonzi Community Development Project. This initiative represents a US$1.3 million investment aimed at driving sustainable development in the Goromonzi area, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The project, designed in collaboration with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and supported by multiple stakeholders, will be implemented over three years from 2025 to 2027. Focusing on health, vocational training, women’s empowerment, and energy access, the Goromonzi Community Development Project is set to substantially impact local livelihoods.
During the launch event, Johnson Lyu, a senior representative of Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, delivered a speech highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable development and its partnership with local communities.
“It is our pleasure to introduce the Goromonzi Community Development Project. This initiative aligns with our mission to not only operate responsibly but also to contribute positively to the communities we serve. We are proud to be part of this journey with our partners,” said Lyu.
According to Lyu, the Goromonzi Community Development Project consists of four main sub-projects, each designed to address specific needs in the community:
Health to Success: Community Health Development Project
This initiative focuses on increasing awareness of pandemic prevention among local children. Through educational board games, teacher training, and children’s activities during events like Children’s Day, the project aims to equip young people with knowledge on how to protect themselves from future health risks.
Skills to Succeed: Vocational Education Project
The vocational training project aims to empower local youth by providing them with essential skills to secure employment. Training will initially focus on welding in 2025, followed by apprenticeship programs where Huayou Cobalt’s senior staff will guide participants toward certification. The company will also work with the Chamber of Commerce to facilitate job placements for the youth.
Women in the Future: Women’s Empowerment Project
In partnership with Jack Technology, a leading sewing machine manufacturer, this project will train women in sewing skills and help them secure stable incomes through sewing orders. Senior women in the community will receive leadership training, enabling them to form self-organized groups and negotiate directly with enterprises for additional work.
Energy Equity to Success: Energy Access Project
This project will address the critical issue of electricity shortages in the area, benefiting primary school students, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and young entrepreneurs. Energy storage equipment will be installed in schools to enable students to study longer hours, while machinery will be provided to SMEs and selected youth entrepreneurs to help them launch and run businesses. A community service initiative, the “Fire and Hithium Charity Day,” will encourage beneficiaries to give back to their community by providing free services.
Lyu noted that Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt’s investment in Goromonzi is part of the company’s broader strategy to foster sustainable development in Africa. By focusing on key areas such as education, health, and energy, the Goromonzi Community Development Project is expected to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for the local population.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration in ensuring the project’s success.
“We are here today to witness the beginning of this journey, where multiple stakeholders—community members, government officials, and private enterprises—come together to create lasting change. This project is a testament to what can be achieved when we work collectively toward sustainable development,” he said.
The Goromonzi Community Development Project represents not only an investment in infrastructure and skills but also in the future of the community, ensuring that the benefits of industrial development extend beyond the mining sector.