Mining ZimbabweLatest Mining News, Policy and Industry Updates

Australian mining company Prospect Resources Ltd has shifted its focus towards gold exploration after disappointing outcomes at its Step Aside and Bikita Gem lithium projects in Zimbabwe. The strategic pivot marks a significant realignment for the company, which rose to prominence following the over US$400 million sale of its Arcadia Lithium Mine to China’s Huayou Cobalt in 2022.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

In its quarterly report for the period ending March 31, 2025, Prospect confirmed that all exploration efforts at the Step Aside Lithium Project had been halted and expenditure reduced to minimum holding commitments. The company is now preparing to monetise the asset while increasingly investing in the potential for gold within the same area.

“Exploration activities at Step Aside have ceased,” Prospect noted, adding that it had launched a formal sales process in the March quarter, with Nurture Investments appointed to lead the initiative. A digital data room has been established with supporting geological, legal, and logistical documentation to facilitate the divestment.

Turning to Gold in a Proven Belt

As lithium exploration winds down, the focus is turning to what may be Zimbabwe’s oldest and most reliable friend in the mining sector—gold. From February to March 2025, Prospect re-examined diamond drill core samples from the Step Aside project for gold potential. Encouraging intersections, described as visually prospective for gold mineralisation, have been submitted for lab analysis.

What makes this transition more than speculative is location. Step Aside is located in the heart of the Harare Greenstone Belt, a geological zone renowned for high-grade gold mineralisation. Historically, the belt has produced over 35 tonnes of gold, primarily from the Arcturus group of mines, which are situated just 12 kilometres southwest of the Step Aside site. These mines are known for their high-grade, vein-hosted gold systems, similar in structure to what has been encountered at Step Aside.

In short, Prospect is not wandering into unfamiliar territory—it is drilling into a zone with a proven gold pedigree.

Strategic Gold Shift Amidst National Potential

Prospect’s gold ambitions align well with Zimbabwe’s broader mining narrative. The country is sitting on an estimated 13 million tonnes of gold reserves—valued at over US$65 trillion—according to data from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. This potential is not lost on investors or the government, especially at a time when global gold prices are buoyant and lithium markets are tightening.

Zimbabwe’s drive toward becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030 heavily hinges on gold production. With major projects like Motapa and Bilboes coming online, and significant state support behind both large- and small-scale gold mining ventures, the pivot by Prospect is not only timely but strategically sound.

From Lithium Darling to Gold Revivalist

This move into gold exploration signals a new chapter for Prospect Resources, which once made headlines as Zimbabwe’s lithium darling. The Arcadia deal with Huayou Cobalt cemented its legacy in lithium, but with exploration at both Step Aside and Bikita Gem yielding underwhelming results, the company appears to be embracing Zimbabwe’s most tested commodity.

It is not the first miner to make such a pivot. Several lithium-focused firms in Zimbabwe are now reassessing their portfolios, particularly as softening lithium prices and rising gold prices force companies to rethink resource allocation.

Step Aside Could Still Deliver Value

Even as a lithium project, Step Aside was always a compact operation—100 hectares of claims located 35 km from Harare. Now, with its gold potential under renewed scrutiny, it may yet provide significant returns either through outright sale or future development. For now, Prospect is betting that Zimbabwe’s golden legacy still has more to offer.

With an aggressive exploration mindset and a growing appetite for diversification, Prospect Resources’ gold ambitions could mark its resurgence as a multi-commodity producer in Zimbabwe. All eyes will now be on the outcome of their ongoing gold assays and how they reposition their operations in a country poised for another gold boom.

The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe (CoMZ) is geared up for its highly anticipated Annual Mining Conference and Exhibition, scheduled to take place from May 21 to May 24, 2025, in the scenic town of Victoria Falls. ​

By Keith Sungiso

This is an annual event that provides a platform for industry leaders, government, investors and financiers the opportunity to interact and discuss key matters relevant to the development of the mining industry.

This year’s program includes PGMs Symposium, Gold Symposium, Coal and Fossils Session, Main Conference, Exhibitions and various side events such as dinners, cocktails, and a golf tournament.

The AGM will commence with constitutional meetings to address internal governance issues within the mining industry. A new President will be appointed, concluding the Gono era.

Subsequent sessions will feature presentations from local, regional, and international experts, including executives from operating mines and new PGMs projects.

As the mining sector continues to play a pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s economy, the 2025 AGM and Conference are expected to set the tone for future developments and collaborations within the industry.

Anglo American Platinum has spoken out following the tragic death of one of its employees at Unki Mine in Zimbabwe.

In a statement to Mining Zimbabwe, Anglo confirmed that on Sunday, April 20, 2025, a Load Haul Dump (LHD) operator was fatally injured in a mobile equipment-related incident while working underground.

“Anglo American Platinum regrets the loss of life of an employee at its Unki Mine in Zimbabwe,” the company said. “Emergency services responded immediately, but unfortunately, the employee was declared deceased.”

The company extended its sympathies to those affected by the loss, stating, “Anglo American Platinum extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased and is providing comprehensive support during this difficult time.”

Authorities have been notified, and a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is currently underway.

As part of its ongoing commitment to safety, the company added: “Anglo American Platinum continues to work towards achieving zero harm and is committed to preventing a repeat of this tragic incident. Safe operations are of the highest priority, to ensure that every person goes home unharmed, every single day.”

Prior to this incident, Unki had achieved remarkable 12-year fatality-free operations.

The global electric vehicle (EV) market continued its upward trajectory in February 2025, posting strong year-over-year growth despite a slight slowdown in monthly sales, according to Adamas Intelligence’s latest report.

By Ryan Chigoche

This positive trend comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s lithium sector is set to grow significantly, with production expected to reach 3.26 million metric tons in 2025, up from 2.47 million metric tons in 2024.

This surge in Zimbabwe’s lithium production aligns with the growing global demand for battery materials, positioning the country as a key supplier for the expanding EV industry.

According to Adamas Intelligence’s February battery raw materials deployment report, a total of 1.79 million passenger EVs—including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)—were sold worldwide during the month.

While this marked a 4% decline from January, it represented a robust 37% increase compared to February 2024, signaling continued consumer interest and market resilience.

Regional dynamics varied, with the Asia-Pacific region seeing the most pronounced growth. Although sales dipped 6% month-over-month, they surged 54% year-on-year. Europe followed with a 12% annual increase, while the Americas stood out as the only region to post a month-over-month gain—up 4% compared to January and 21% over the previous year.

Battery deployment trends mirrored the sales data. In total, 62,237 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery capacity were installed in new passenger EVs globally—a 2% drop from January but a notable 49% increase year-over-year. Chinese battery giant CATL led the pack with 17,900 MWh deployed, while automaker BYD topped the charts among vehicle manufacturers with 7,904 MWh.

Adamas Intelligence attributes part of the battery capacity growth to changing vehicle preferences. BEV and PHEV sales are rising faster than those of HEVs, resulting in a 9% increase in the average battery size per vehicle compared to February 2024. This indicates a shift toward longer-range, fully electric models, particularly in markets with expanding charging infrastructure.

As EV production rises, demand for key battery materials is also intensifying.

In February, 35,957 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) were used in EV batteries—a 46% increase from the same month last year. Nickel use followed a similar pattern, with 23,143 tonnes deployed globally—up 25% year-on-year. Tesla led among automakers with 3,181 tonnes, while CATL topped the list of suppliers with 5,718 tonnes. However, the average nickel content per EV battery declined by 8%, hinting at a continued shift toward alternative chemistries.

Cobalt deployment rose to 3,970 tonnes, an increase of 14% from the previous year, despite a 6% month-over-month drop, while manganese use in EV batteries totaled 4,896 tonnes, up 18% year-on-year. Volkswagen took the lead among automakers for the month, while CATL remained the top cell supplier. Meanwhile, graphite—an essential component in nearly all EV batteries—saw a 52% year-on-year increase, with 57,475 tonnes deployed globally. CATL and BYD again led in graphite deployment.

Following these global trends, Zimbabwe is emerging as a strategic supplier of battery minerals, particularly lithium, which is essential to the expanding EV industry. With some of the world’s most promising hard-rock lithium reserves, the country is increasingly viewed as a key link in the global supply chain.

According to the Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe, the local lithium sector is set for a strong performance in 2025, with production expected to rise to 3.26 million metric tons, up from 2.47 million metric tons in 2024.

The growth will be largely driven by the ramp-up of operations from new producers that came online in 2024, alongside major investments aimed at expanding processing capacity across the country.

Among the key contributors to this surge is Bikita Minerals, which plans to invest US$100 million in smelting infrastructure in 2025.

This initiative, part of a broader US$500 million project, is expected to increase smelting capacity by 95%, with completion targeted for December 2025.

In parallel, Sandawana Mine is advancing a US$28 million investment in a lithium concentrate processing plant, scheduled for commissioning by March 2026. The facility is projected to double the mine’s production capacity, reaching 500,000 tonnes of concentrate annually.

Beyond raw extraction, the Zimbabwean government is encouraging local value addition, including plans for domestic lithium hydroxide processing, which would elevate the country from an exporter of raw ore to a producer of refined battery inputs.

The government has also implemented measures to regulate and formalize the sector, aiming to ensure sustainable development while maximizing long-term economic benefits.

With the global shift toward clean transportation accelerating, Zimbabwe is well-positioned to supply the essential raw materials powering the transition. As EV production scales up worldwide, resource-rich nations like Zimbabwe will also be important in ensuring the resilience of global supply chains.

The country’s biggest Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) producer, Zimplats, has announced that phase two of its sulphur dioxide (SO₂) abatement plant construction will recommence in the first quarter of the 2026 financial year, with an expected completion date of June 2028, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The project is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to expand and enhance its processing capacity, particularly in response to increasing environmental regulations and production targets.

To date, Zimplats has invested a combined US$444 million into both the SO₂ abatement plant and its smelter expansion project. These initiatives are crucial for managing sulphur dioxide emissions—a major byproduct of the smelting process that can contribute to air pollution, acid rain, and health hazards. In its half-year report for the period ending December 31, 2024, Zimplats stated that both projects were “technically complete” and will significantly improve the company’s ability to mitigate its environmental impact.

The SO₂ abatement plant is designed to capture sulphur dioxide emissions and convert them into valuable byproducts such as sulphuric acid, which can be used in various industrial processes. This aligns with global efforts to reduce industrial emissions and supports Zimplats’ compliance with stricter environmental standards.

As part of its broader US$1.8 billion capital expansion programme, Zimplats is investing in several integrated projects, including the smelter expansion, a base metal refinery, a sulphuric acid plant, and a 110-megawatt power station. These investments are expected to support the company’s planned ramp-up in production while reducing its environmental footprint.

The new smelter furnace, once completed, will more than double the company’s smelting capacity from 135,000 tonnes per annum to 380,000 tonnes per annum of concentrate, significantly enhancing its output capabilities.

“Phase Two of the SO₂ abatement plant will resume construction in Q1 FY2026 and is expected to be completed in June 2028. As of December 31, 2024, a total of US$443 million had been spent on both projects, against an approved budget of US$544 million,” Zimplats confirmed in a statement.

However, the company also reported challenges during the period under review. Mined volumes were negatively affected by the limited availability of trackless mobile machinery (TMM) and intermittent power outages. Production volumes fell by 2.5 per cent to 3.9 million tonnes, down from 4.0 million tonnes in the same period the previous year. Similarly, tonnes milled decreased by 2.6 per cent to 3.8 million tonnes due to lower ore supply, and metal-in-concentrate production dropped by two per cent year-on-year to 279,890 6E ounces.

According to Zimplats, this decline was largely due to lower-than-planned concentrator production, an increase in furnace lock-up, and delays in commissioning the expanded smelter converters. The 6E (platinum, palladium, rhodium, gold, ruthenium, and iridium) production decreased by 15 per cent to 279,890 ounces from 327,810 ounces. A further 23,191 6E ounces were locked up in concentrate and final production during the period.

Despite these setbacks, Zimplats reported a slight improvement in mill head grade for the six metals, which increased to 3.38 grams per tonne (g/t) from 3.34 g/t in the same period last year. This was attributed to improved mining quality across its operations and increased tonnage from higher-grade zones at the Rukodzi and Bimha mines.

Financially, the company’s performance was impacted by these production challenges. Revenue for the half-year stood at US$350.2 million, a six per cent decline from the previous period, mainly due to a 13 per cent reduction in sales volumes.

Zimplats remains focused on its long-term strategy of increasing production and reducing its environmental footprint. The completion of phase two of the SO₂ abatement plant and other expansion projects is expected to place the company in a strong position to meet its sustainability and production goals while continuing to comply with global environmental standards.