Home Blog Page 275

Sabi Star to Establish World-Class Mineral Processing Plant in Zimbabwe

TEPE
-
0
Sabi Star to Establish World-Class Mineral Processing Plant in Zimbabwe

A Buhera-based Lithium mining company has stated its intentions to establish a world-class mineral processing plant in the country.

In the company’s presentation at the Chamber of Mines Annual Conference and Exhibition held in Victoria Falls last week, MAX MIND INVESTMENTS, the owners of the Sabi Star lithium project said the facility will have an ore processing capacity of 1,000,000 tons per annum, with a Li2O 6% lithium concentrate output estimation of 300,000 tons per annum.

The project has been set to provide extensive technical support from one of the top Chinese lithium beneficiation research institutions to improve the recovery rate, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the plant.

At the plant’s full production capacity, Sabi Star is expected to employ over 400 people, with 85% of the employees being locals. The project will also facilitate the transfer of skills from expats to local employees through comprehensive training on new technologies and equipment.

“There will be Employment creation as the project forecast to recruit over 400 employees at full production (85% local and 15% local). The bulk of the non-skilled employees will be from the immediate vicinity of the project. There is going to be a Transfer of skills from expats to local employees through training and coaching of new technologies and equipment,” the company said in a presentation.

This move is aimed at boosting the local labour force’s skillset and introducing new techniques and processes to the mining industry.

Additionally, the plant’s establishment will lead to the improvement of the local infrastructure, including road upgrades along the Gaza-Sabi Star road, which will improve accessibility to the area, water, social amenities such as the clinic, and plans to build schools when the mine is finally operational.

The project is poised to generate foreign currency through foreign direct investment and 100% export sales of the mineral concentrate.

Moreover, the plant will benefit downstream businesses such as transport, local retail and local suppliers for consumables, which will ultimately lead to improved livelihoods for the communities around the project.

“There will be Improvement of local infrastructure Foreign Currency generation through foreign direct investment and 100% export sales of the mineral concentrate. There are also benefits to downstream businesses such as transport, local retail and local suppliers for mine consumables also Revenue generation for the Zimbabwean Government through taxes and royalties,” the company said in its presentation.

The implementation of the project will open up new opportunities and solutions to Zimbabwe’s mining industry, which will translate into industrial and economic growth for the country.

Lithium Mining in Zimbabwe is on the rise with several projects in the exploration phase forecasted to kick-start production in 2023.

Zimbabwe gold buying prices 6 June 2023

TEPE
-
0
Zimbabwe gold buying prices 6 June 2023

Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) official gold buying prices Tuesday 6 June 2023. See the Zimbabwe gold buying prices for today.

SG 90% AND ABOVE US$59.85/g
SG ABOVE 85% BUT BELOW 90% US$58.90/g
SG ABOVE 80% BUT BELOW 85% US$58.27/g
SG ABOVE 75% BUT BELOW 80% US$57.64/g
SAMPLE BELOW 10g BUT ABOVE 5g US$56.70/g
FIRE ASSAY CASH US$59.85/g

NB: Fire Assay cash price is for gold above 100gs and no sample is deducted.
For the Fire Assay Transfer price, a sample of not more than 10g is deducted
A 2% royalty is charged on all deposits (small-scale miners)
A 5% royalty is charged to Primary Producers

Cash available. Fidelity Gold Refinery prices will be changing daily in relation to world market prices.

Key Mining projects and plant upgrades in Zimbabwe

TEPE
-
0
Key Mining projects and plant upgrades in Zimbabwe

The Mining Sector is a key player in the country’s economic development. The sector contributes more than 60% of Zimbabwe’s export receipts, attracts more than 50% of foreign direct investment (FDI), contributes about 13% to GDP and generates significant employment.

In 2021, the mining industry attained USD5.46 billion in exports against a targeted projection of USD8 billion during that period. The mining sector remains well on course to generate USD12 billion in revenue by the year 2023 thereby contributing significantly towards the attainment of the national vision.

The main minerals that are going to lead the growth of the mining sector include gold, platinum group metals (PGMs), ferrochrome, steel, nickel, diamonds, lithium, coal and hydrocarbons.

Under National Development Strategy (NDS1) implementation, the Beneficiation and Value Addition of our economic minerals will ultimately feed into the attainment of Vision 2030 of Zimbabwe becoming an Upper Middle-Income Economy by the year 2030.

Zimbabwe is prioritizing enhanced investments in exploration, opening of new mines, beneficiation and value addition of minerals; as well as expansion of projects subject to various commercial and economic models. His Excellency has commissioned a number of mining projects across various mineral subsectors such as gold, diamonds, Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), Coal and lithium among others.

The Mining Sector continues to record positive growth underpinned by a number of programmes that include increased exploration, resuscitation of closed mines, the opening of new mines, expansion of existing mining projects and mineral beneficiation and value addition.

Below are key mining projects and plant upgrades in the 2nd Republic report by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development

GOLD

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc/ Blanket Mine (Shaft Expansion)

  • The government of Zimbabwe signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc on 5 October 2020 for the expansion of Blanket Mine. The project is now under implementation.
  • Blanket Mine is increasing production through the Central Shaft Expansion Project.
  • The Central Shaft project commenced in 2015 with the objectives to increase production to 80,000 ounces of gold per annum, reduce operating costs and allow for further exploration to extend the life of mine beyond 2024.
  • The Central Shaft is one of the deepest shafts in Zimbabwe, with a depth of 1,200 metres from the surface.
  • The total investment of the project is USD67 million and the project employs a total of 1,979 people in Zimbabwe.
  • Caledonia Mine has also constructed a 12MW Solar Plant at Blanket, at a cost of approximately USD14 million.

RIOZIM Cam And Motor Mine (Expansion Project) Kadoma

  • RioZim Cam and Motor Mine Biox Plant was officially commissioned by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa on 14 April 2022.
  • The project will result in the creation of additional direct employment of about 120 people.
  • The gold production will reach 140 kilogrammes per month, during the first phase of the project, and will peak at 200 kilograms per month, after Phase 2 is implemented.

Zimcn Radnor Mine (Makaha, Mashonaland East)

Major highlights of the ZIMCN Radnor Gold Mine since operations resumed:

  • A total of USD35Million invested into the mine.
  • 200 workers engaged on full time basis comprising of 60 Chinese engineers and 140 local Zimbabweans. Of the 140 local Zimbabweans, 41 are residents of the local project hosting area of Makaha and its surrounding areas of Mudzi, Mutoko, Murehwa and Nyanga North.
  • Acquisition, installation and turning on of the country’s single largest gold ore crushing unit at a processing capacity of 1000 tons per hour.
  • Construction and operationalization of the country’s largest gold recovery heap leaching project hosted by a single mining entity. In the past 15 months period the mine has developed heap leaching pads covering a combined floor base of 15 hectares. In the same period, 1.5 million tons of ore has been extracted, crushed and loaded onto pads.
  • Development of a major 200-metre deep 7m by 7m inclined tunnel shaft to extract the deep underlying high-grade sulphide ores. The tunnel is currently being developed to reach 1km extent for massive ore extraction at rates of 100 tonnes per hour.
  • The Corporate Social Responsibility plan has entailed road rehabilitation, borehole drilling, local schools’ buildings renovations and mobilization of Netone to install a mobile network booster for the surrounding community.

PLATINUM GROUP OF METALS (PGMs)

Unki Mine (Pvt) Ltd (Expansion Project) Shurugwi, Midlands

The expansion will result in increased concentrator capacity from 179 000 tonnes per month to 210 000 tonnes per month. The project is now ready for commissioning

Zimplats (Expansion Project), Mhondoro Ngezi, Mash West

  • ZIMPLATS signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Zimbabwe in 2021 that will see the company invest USD1.8 billion to expand its operation by the year 2025.
  • These projects include new mine development, additional concentrator, PGMs smelter expansion, PGM Base Metal Refinery (BMR) plant, sulphuric acid plant as well as the 110 MW Solar power plant.

Mimosa Mining Company, Zvishavane, Midlands

  • The Concentrator Optimization at Mimosa Mining Company is nearing completion and the commissioning of the concentrator is scheduled for February 2023.
  • The concentrator optimization project will result in an increase of 11,552 4E ounces PGMs per year.
  • The project will generate USD27 million per annum with a workforce of about 33 people.

CHROME, FERROCHROME AND STEEL

Afrochine Smelting, Selous, Mashonaland West

  • Operationalization of 2 × 12.5 MVA Furnaces in addition to 3 Chrome Smelters already operating to produce 600 000 tons per annum of ferrochrome was done in June 2019. Afrochine now has a total of 5 smelters which are operational.
  • The furnaces are ready for commissioning by His Excellency.
  • They are working on increasing furnace capacity to achieve 500,000 tonnes by 2023 ramping up to achieve 1,000,000 tonnes by 2025. They also setting up 2 smelters in Chivi.

Dinson Iron And Steel Company (Pvt) Ltd (Tshingshan), Carbon Steel Plant

  • The Capital Investment for Phase 1 of the project is about USD1 Billion and is expected to have an annual turnover of over USD600 Million per annum.
  • The project is set to employ over 2000 employees during the first phase. At full throttle, the Steel company itself is expected to employ more than 10 000 workers directly while it will create employment for millions of Zimbabweans indirectly through the upstream and downstream industries.
  • The original MoU signed between Government and Tsingshan Holdings Group was signed in June 2018 after His Excellency had met its Chairman in April 2018.
  • The original MoU saw the setting up of the Dinson Colliery and Manhize Iron Ore and Value Addition park.
  • On the 29th of November 2022, The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Cde.Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa presided over the signing of the addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Zimbabwe and Tsingshan Holdings.
  • The addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding concerns the following:
  1. Expansion of two more furnaces in Afrochine Smelting (Private) Limited;
  2. Setting up of 350,000 coke production capacity at Dinson Colliery (Private) Limited;
  • Establishment of a carbon steel plant with its first phase of 600,000tons at Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Private) Limited;
  1. Setting up a cement manufacturing plant of a capacity of (one) 1 million tonnes per year;
  2. Setting up a lithium processing plant with a capacity to produce (two) 2 million tonnes per year of lithium concentrate;
  3. Refurbishment and construction of a 1000km long railway line system in the ROZ to provide dedicated, reliable, uninterrupted and efficient railway system to be able to ferry our products for both local and exports-imports routes;
  • Construction of a 1000Mw power plant to ensure energy security.

Zimasco High Carbon Ferrochrome Smelter Establishment, Kwekwe, Midlands

  • The expansion of the high-carbon ferrochrome smelter is underway
  • The upgraded Furnaces are expected to produce 80,000 metric tonnes per annum and to employ 100 locals from April 2023.
  • The upgrade Number 7 and 8 Furnaces are expected to produce 70,000 metric tonnes annum high carbon ferrochrome.
  • A total of USD150 million per annum revenue is anticipated.

DIAMOND

RZM Murowa Diamonds Greenfields Diamond Plant Construction, Murowa, Midlands

  • The construction of the RZM Murowa 500 TPH Greenfields Diamond Plant Project is now complete, with the project now awaiting commissioning. The expansion is expected to increase output from 190 000 tons of ore per month to 500 000 tons per month.
  • The project will create employment for 679 locals.
  • The project will increase diamond production in Zimbabwe, foreign currency generation and development of the local communities of Zvishavane.
  • The expansion of RZM Murowa Diamonds is a success story to the President‘s call for investors to invest in the geologically rich nation. RZM Murowa Diamonds is a key driver in achieving the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030.
  • RZM Murowa Diamonds is expected to make a significant contribution towards achieving a USD12 Billion Mining sector by 2023 and eventually driving the economy to become an Upper Middle-Income Economy by 2030.

LITHIUM

Sinomine Bikita Minerals, Masvingo

  • Sinomine acquired an effective shareholding in Bikita Minerals (Private) Limited (“Bikita”) in February 2022 through the purchase of equity in Bikita held by external shareholders.
  • Sinomine has been investing in Zimbabwe for over than 15 years, commencing with exploration, contract mining, and investing in the lithium businesses from the Arcadia Resources project to the acquisition of Bikita Minerals in February 2022. Sinomine sold its minority shareholding in Arcadia in 2021.
  • Following the takeover by Sinomine, Bikita’s strategic development plan is as follows:
    1. Based on the exploration advantages of Sinomine, they have already implemented resource exploration of the mining area, and have found more reserves of Bikita minerals, providing further technical support and resource guarantees for the development of the Mine to the next stage.
    2. To invest USD50 million dollars expanding the petalite plant to increase the currently capacity and production. Bikita currently produces petalite and intends to increase its production and export.
    3. To invest USD150 million dollars to set up a new spodumene production line and to develop the Spodumene project. Spodumene contains chemical grade lithium required for batteries. It requires several processing before it can be used to make batteries.
    4. To invest USD20 million dollars to set up a new 110km power line from Tokow station via Masvingo to Bikita Mine, which will improve the Nation Grid and benefit of the whole of Masvingo Province for its people.

Sabi Star Mine, Buhera, Manicaland

  • The construction of a Lithium Processing Plant is underway.
  • The project is scheduled for completion in February 2023.
  • The company plans to set up a battery-grade Lithium plant in Zimbabwe with an envisaged investment of USD 250 Million. The plant is expected to be the first, and the largest of its kind in Africa.
  • Regarding Community and Social Responsibility (CSR), the company intends to build a local clinic. There is also scope for drilling boreholes for the local community to alleviate challenges related to water for domestic and project purposes.
  • Max Mind (Pvt) Ltd intends to invest up to USD8 Million in the first phase of the project which will result in the export of lithium and tantalite concentrates and they have so far already invested USD 5 Million.
  • The annual turnover for the project will be USD600 million per annum with a workforce of 400 people directly and indirectly.

Mines To Energy Park, Mapinga, Mashonaland West

  • The project entails the establishment of a Mines to Energy Park in Mapinga, Mashonaland West.
  • The park will be comprised of the following:
  1. Two (2) three hundred megawatt (300MW) power stations;
  2. A coking plant with a capacity of one million and two hundred thousand tonnes (1,200,000t) of coke per annum at an estimated cost of two hundred million United States dollars (USD200,000,000.00);
  • A lithium salt plant at an estimated cost of four hundred and fifty million United States dollars (USD450,000,000.00) with a capacity to produce over thirty thousand tonnes (30,000t) of lithium hydroxide and the capacity to expand to over one hundred and thirty thousand tonnes (130,000t) of lithium carbonate and/or lithium hydroxide per annum;
  1. A graphite plant at an estimated cost of one hundred and eighty million United States dollars (USD180,000,000.00) for Phase I with a capacity to produce seventy-five thousand tonnes (75,000t) of ninety-five per cent (95%) purity graphite per annum, and a further Phase II for battery grade product;
  2. A nickel sulphate plant to produce one hundred and fifty thousand tonnes (150,000t) of nickel sulphate, six hundred thousand tonnes (600,000t) of magnesium oxide, one hundred and fifty thousand tonnes (150,000t) of sodium hydroxide and two hundred thousand tonnes (200,000t) of iron concentrate per annum at an estimated cost of one billion United States dollars (USD1,000,000,000.00);
  3. A nickel-chromium alloy smelter to produce three hundred thousand tonnes (300,000t) of nickel-chromium alloy per annum at an estimated cost of five hundred million United States dollars (USD500,000,000.00).

Kamativi Lithium Mine (KMC)

Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) is set to complete the first phase of its lithium mine production preparations in October 2023, having already invested 25 million US dollars.

The second phase, set to be completed by early 2024, will see KMC’s investment rise to us$75 million, bringing the total investment capital to 100 million US dollars.

KMC has also taken the initiative to construct a lithium beneficiation plant.

Alongside construction phase one plant, Phase-two plant construction is due to begin this year, with an expected total processing capacity of 2 million tons of ore per year.

Following the government’s ban on the export of raw lithium ore, KMC has gone further to construct a lithium beneficiation plant. They are also going to resuscitate the old Kamativi tin mine plant and begin the construction of phase one plant by October this year, which is expected to be processing 300,000  tons of ore per year.

KMC is also expected to produce 350,000 tons of lithium concentrate by early 2024, from 2.3 million tons of mined ore. This marks an important development not only for KMC but for the wider lithium sector, which has seen increased attention given the important role it plays in the energy transition.

The plant is also expected to create employment opportunities for 1500 locals.

COPPER

Grand Sanyuan Copper Resources Zimbabwe

  • The construction of the Copper Processing Plant is now complete and the smelter is operational.
  • The establishment of the smelter will be an important step towards full copper value addition as per the Greater Chinhoyi Copper Development program.
  • The production output of copper bullion is expected to be 450 tons per month.
  • The project will generate USD14.4 million per annum with a workforce of about 94 people.

ENERGY MINERAL PROJECTS (COAL, COKE, OIL AND GAS)

Dinson Colliery Plant For Coking Coal Production, Hwange Mat North.

  • The construction of the Dinson Colliery Phase 2 Coke Oven Battery is now complete with the installation of equipment underway.
  • Phase 2 Coke Oven Battery is scheduled for completion by Q1 2023.
  • Phase 2 of the project will have a capacity of 180,000 tonnes per annum, generate revenue of USD54 million per annum and create employment for 500 locals.

Taken from key mining projects in the 2nd Republic report by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development

Interview: Yevai Goto Deputy CEO ETG – CURECHEM

TEPE
-
0
Interview: Yevai Goto Deputy CEO ETG – CURECHEM

Interview: Yevai Goto Deputy CEO ETG – CURECHEM

WHY CELEBRATE WOMEN IN MINING

Coming from a service provider for Mining Reagents & Explosive for small, medium, and large Mines do understand it takes courage, strength, confidence, innovation, and talent of beautiful women out there to run Mining operations at different levels.

Yevai Goto, you are a Director of one of the most prominent Companies supplying quality chemicals not only to the Zimbabwe mining industry, what is your working day like?

Each day is a challenge and truly comes with its own challenges as we are a solution provider, not only selling Mining Chemicals and Explosives. As a woman, you need to be always ahead, thus seeking new areas of research and working with experts to help you quickly grasp the concepts and start implementing them.

How safe are chemicals in the Mining industry?

All chemicals are hazardous, and it’s important to have the necessary knowledge on how to handle hazardous chemicals. That’s where Women in Mining score the BEST as we have the privilege of being Mothers, Sisters, and Wives, this gives us the instinct to ensure safety and understand the environmental impact of our surroundings.

Do you have programs to train miners on the safe use of chemicals?

Yes, we do conduct ” Safe Handling and Use of Hazardous Chemicals Training” at the Mine level, Province level, and Country level in Partnership with Government Environmental Authorities.

CURECHEM is now ETG-CURECHEM with Mining Support Activities in Zimbabwe, Zambia, DRC, South Africa, Tanzania, Sudan, Mozambique, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and soon Nigeria. What is in those countries that we should emulate here in our mining industry?

From Engineering, Metallurgy, and Mining to Mineral Resource, Finance, and Protection Services, women are represented in all departments and Government Policies puts more effort to improve female representation in the workforce by removing barriers and providing full and genuine access to all occupations for women, including leadership roles which give Scores to the Mining Company rating system. It would be good to see such initiatives in Zimbabwe and other Countries.

What are your key competencies and skills in your current role?

I refer to them as CUC:

C – capitalize and leverage my strength

U – understand which competency or skill I need to capitalize on for the situation at hand, develop and adapt.

C – Commit to a process, person, or program that will help build the complete range of competencies required for success.

You are one of the few females who is leading in a male-dominated environment, what are some of the challenges you face and how do you overcome them?

I wouldn’t say the “challenges are because I’m a Woman” but there is criticism direct or indirect, and I have learned to not be afraid to speak up and never stop learning. As a woman, I should not try to fit in, but just be myself and learn how to say “No” as opposed to just being a “Yes” woman I think this has earned me respect & loyalty in the industry.

What role did Curechem play in moulding you in your career?

The company has always believed in talent identification, nurturing that talent, and perfecting that talent by providing all the resources and support. This has been my journey and I am not the only one at the company who has benefitted from this wonderful philosophy over the 25-plus years of the company’s existence.  This philosophy continues to be implemented to this day and has worked wonders for the Company.

Who is your female role model and why?

My Mother, every day would remind us “A Woman should always do more than one chore at a time, and all planning of the following day’s chores before sleeping” This concept of multi-skilling, especially in today’s fast-paced nature of modern Mining Technology advancement is key for growth.

What changes (if any) would you like to see in the work environment to promote women’s participation at all levels?

It starts with us women, from an individual level to the corporate level; let us stand for what we believe in with a “louder Confident Voice” for Strategic Growth at all levels.

In your free time, what do you enjoy doing?

I’m always on the move from one country to another, and free time is a luxury now (laugh), however, in any country, I look for nature spots, sit and soak in the beauty of nature that has existed before us and will continue to exist long after us. This keeps me humbled and always environmentally conscious.

Words of advice to women who wish to follow in your footsteps career-wise?

Flexibility is a key strength for women in businesses, I’m an Agronomist by profession but crops grow in soil and the soil is ore in mining language, as women let us learn to go beyond our immediate role and become flexible and responsive to business needs.

Zimbabwe gold buying prices 5 June 2023

TEPE
-
0
Zimbabwe gold buying prices 5 June 2023

Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) official gold buying prices Monday 5 June 2023. See the Zimbabwe gold buying prices for today.

SG 90% AND ABOVE US$59.96/g
SG ABOVE 85% BUT BELOW 90% US$59.01/g
SG ABOVE 80% BUT BELOW 85% US$58.38/g
SG ABOVE 75% BUT BELOW 80% US$57.75/g
SAMPLE BELOW 10g BUT ABOVE 5g US$56.80/g
FIRE ASSAY CASH US$59.96/g

NB: Fire Assay cash price is for gold above 100gs and no sample is deducted.
For the Fire Assay Transfer price, a sample of not more than 10g is deducted
A 2% royalty is charged on all deposits (small-scale miners)
A 5% royalty is charged to Primary Producers

Cash available. Fidelity Gold Refinery prices will be changing daily in relation to world market prices.

KMC to Invest us$100 Million in Lithium Mining and Beneficiation Plant Construction

TEPE
-
0
KMC to Invest us$100 Million in Lithium Mining and Beneficiation Plant Construction

Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) is set to complete the first phase of its lithium mine production preparations in October this year, having already invested 25 million US dollars.

The second phase, set to be completed by early 2024, will see KMC’s investment rise to us$75 million, bringing the total investment capital to 100 million US dollars.

This significant investment demonstrates the seriousness of the investor in the lithium sector. Even before the government’s ban on the export of raw lithium ore, KMC has also taken the initiative to construct a lithium beneficiation plant.

Alongside construction phase one plant, Phase-two plant construction is due to begin in May this year, with an expected total processing capacity of 2 million tons of ore per year.

Deputy Mines and Mining Development Minister Hon Polite Kambamura said the government looks forward to the completion

“This shows seriousness on the side of the investor. Also, following the government’s ban on the export of raw lithium ore, KMC has gone further to construct a lithium beneficiation plant. They are also going to resuscitate the old plant and we are looking forward to the construction of the phase one plant by October this year, which is expected to be processing 300,000  tons of ore per year.”

“Kamativi Lithium Mine is also expected to produce 350,000 tons of lithium concentrate by early 2024, from 2.3 million tons of mined ore. This marks an important development not only for KMC but for the wider lithium sector, which has seen increased attention given the important role it plays in the energy transition,” the Deputy Minister said.

These developments were welcomed by industry experts, praising KMC for its commitment to investing in sustainable and responsible lithium production. The plant is also expected to create employment opportunities for the local community.

Explosive growth predicted for Zimbabwe’s mining sector energy demand

TEPE
-
0
Explosive growth predicted for Zimbabwe’s mining sector energy demand

The Zimbabwe Mining sector is set to experience a surge in demand for electricity, as it requires in excess of 2,000 MW in the next three to four years, a 344% increase compared to current needs as the industry expands.

The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe (CoMZ) Chief Executive Officer Mr Isaac Kwesu said that the increase in demand is fueled by a surge of mining projects in the country fuelled by a government keen to raise more export revenues.

“There are a lot of projects that are currently ongoing,” Kwesu told journalists attending the Chamber of Mines Annual Conference and Exhibition in Victoria Falls.

“Currently, mining the industry requires around 450MW, but with the current projects that are being undertaken, in the next three to four years, the demand will surge to around 2 000MW which is more than what is currently being generated locally,” Kwesu said.

“So, this is a big issue that we will want to engage Zesa and government among other interested investors in the energy sector.”

Bindura Nickel Corporation (BNC) Managing Director Thomas Lusiyano told the gathering on Wednesday that power outages were crippling the company’s operations.

“We are currently experiencing up to 12 hours a day of power outages and under those circumstances, we cannot produce effectively and cost-effectively,” he said.

“The mining industry, by nature, is a 24-hour operation. It happens everywhere in the world. Now, if you are losing 12 hours of that 24-hour mining operation then definitely you cannot recover. The scope is not there for recovery.

“We are appealing to Zesa for a stable supply of power. The other component of the challenge with power is that it is too costly in this country. A USc10,63/kWh is not sustainable.

“We have to make a conscious decision as a nation whether we allow this nickel production sector to die or we make a trade off and be able to supply low-cost power to sustain this industry and earn the foreign currency that comes from exports of nickel,” Lusiyano added on.

The CoMZ’s gold producers committee chairman Qubeka Nkomo said most gold producers were not on dedicated power lines which has led to their operations being heavily affected by power outages.

“Some reports indicated that some of the mines have gone for as much 12 to 16 hours a day out of power,” he said.

“So, these outages have resulted in production disruptions and, of course, loss of output. Therefore, there is a need to prioritise gold producers for available power to minimise production stoppages.”

Inadequate power supply if left unchecked will hinder the attainment of the 12 billion mining industry target whose deadline is now only six months away.

Government encourages collaboration in the Lithium Industry

TEPE
-
0
Government encourages collaboration in the Lithium Industry

The government of Zimbabwe has made clear its intention to move the whole value chain of lithium concentrate processing to higher levels.

Through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, the government implored all Lithium players to work together giving an example of collaboration in the mining industry that can be seen in the platinum sector, where producers came together to create a study that demonstrated their commitment to value addition.

As a result, they received government support, which led to the withdrawal of export taxes on unbeneficiated platinum.

In a speech directed at lithium players in Zimbabwe, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development emphasised the importance of Collaboration in the Zimbabwe Lithium Industry.

“Let me emphasize and emphasize and emphasize again that the lithium players in this country have to work together more closely than you are today.

“I’ll give you an example.  A few years back, the government came up and said for platinum,  platinum concentrates with effect from this date, will be subject to a surcharge of so much because they are not being value-added.  That’s still the legislation. The platinum players got together and say government,  please hold on. We are serious about value addition.

“We’ll come up with a study to ensure that we achieve the goal which you have for value addition.  And sure they did. The symposium of three years ago was a platinum symposium where the platinum producers were unpacking their plans to have established a base metal refinery. And as a result, the government withdrew the export tax for the unbeneficiated platinum which had been imposed.

“Now, with lithium where are we, I was talking and making reference to lithium concentrates. Obviously, the intention that the government of Zimbabwe wants to see is moving the whole value chain,  moving up the whole value chain,  but it won’t happen overnight.  What is important is for us to work together with the industry to ensure that the industry achieves your goals, but also in government, we achieve all goals for value addition.  As things stand, we do have some extent,  I could say plans by individual companies to establish value addition of lithium concentrates,” Chitando said addressing Lithium miners in the country.

Chitando indicated that government will support entities that can process lithium concentrate to the next stage cautioning that this requires collaboration among the players to ensure they can collectively achieve this goal.

“Now, as a government, once we have an entity which can value add beyond the lithium concentrates and go a stage higher, two things will happen.

“The extreme case will be to ban the export of lithium concentrate which won’t happen,  but we impose a levy. We’ll say, oh, there’s an entity which can do value addition beyond lithium concentrate. Why can’t you do it? Send it to them for processing.

“Then you come and say, no, but they don’t have space for me.  They have only established space for themselves.  So they don’t have the capacity to process our stuff well. The answer is too bad. So it is important that is the lithium players, you get together.  Those who are establishing plans for value addition to the next stage, work together.  Either at the end of the day, this is the same message again, I’m using the example of platinum. As a government, it’s not a question we say,  if so and so should do platinum-based metal refining.  No, if every company wants to do base metal refining,  that’s fine. In lithium, if every player wants to do value addition beyond lithium concentrate to the next stage, that’s quite fine with us as a government,” Chitando concluded.

Overview of the lithium policy in Zimbabwe

TEPE
-
0
Overview of the lithium policy in Zimbabwe

Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando has finally addressed the nation on the long-awaited Lithium policy.

In his speech at the ongoing Chamber of Mines Annual Conference and Exhibition happening at Elephant Hills in Victoria Falls, Chitando gave an overview of lithium in Zimbabwe namely the mining of lithium, processing of lithium, storage of lithium, transportation of lithium, export of value-added lithium and the export of non-value-added lithium.

“The starting point is where are we? And the second question, where are we going? As things stand, the regulations of the law, which is the Mines and Minerals Act, in combination with the various Statutory Instruments, provide this place lithium is concerned, with five things. First, is the mining of lithium. The second is the processing of lithium, and the third is the storage of lithium. The fourth is the transportation of lithium. The fifth is the export of value-added lithium. And to some extent, I will say number six, the export of non-value-added lithium.

Minister Chitando gave the below remarks on the overview of the Lithium policy in Zimbabwe.

The Law

Anyone who has a lithium mining concession, can mine lithium.

Processing lithium ores

You require an approved processing plant license, which you get from the Ministry of Mines.

Transportation of lithium

If you have a mining concession and you’ve mined ores, those ores, you either utilize them for processing at your approved processing plant or you can only transport them. The ore movement permit will only be given if the ore is being moved to someone with an approved processing plant license.

Storage

Lithium ores can only be stored at the site where the lithium is mined or at an approved processing plant site. So the storage of ores in Msasa, and in Southerton, is now illegal and is subject to penalties as stipulated in the Statutory Instrument.

Exportation of value-added lithium

What some people were doing was just grinding ores, coming up with some powder, say I have value-added, you know, this is now lithium concentrate. We have then said for the exportation of value-added lithium, it has to satisfy two conditions.

The first condition is that the lithia content for spodumene should be a minimum of 3% and the lithia content for petalite and lepidolite should be a minimum of 2.5%. That’s the first condition for the exportation of value-added lithium. And the second condition is that the prices which the exporter fetches should be a minimum of what is provided for by the Minerals Marketing Corporation in Zimbabwe from time to time.

Ladies and gentlemen, in simple terms that’s the overview of the lithium policy as it is.

Approved processing plant license

And for one to get an approved processing plant license, it’s simple, you have to satisfy the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development that the setup and the investment you have can manage a minimum threshold of the 3% lithium content for spodumene and the 2.5% lithia content for petalite and lepidolite.

That’s the provisions of the lithium policy.

Beyond that, it says however, if for a wholly owned Zimbabwean entity, once you have intended an approved processing plant license or site license, you can apply for a waiver to export lithium ores up to a period, maximum period of two years.

So for wholly owned Zimbabwean entities, once you have demonstrated that you’d want to set up an approved processing plant site and you get that license and you are working towards that, you can then be given a waiver to export ores for a maximum period of two years, during which time we expect that you have put up your approved processing plant license.

Dallaglio CEO resigns

TEPE
-
0
Dallaglio CEO resigns

Dallaglio Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and prominent mining personality Marc Nicolle has resigned.

Nicolle announced his resignation from the gold mining company on his LinkedIn account.

In reflecting on his time at Dallaglio, the outgoing CEO said he is grateful for the experiences and memories gained at the gold mining company. Nicolle said he is proud of what he has accomplished alongside the Dallaglio team and has every confidence that the company will continue to prosper under new leadership.

“As many of you know, it has been an incredible journey serving as the CEO of Dallaglio, the gold mining company that owns and operates Pickstone and Eureka Mines in Zimbabwe. It has been an honor to build and work with such a talented and dedicated team, and to be a part of the growth and success of the company.

After much consideration and reflection, I have decided to step down from my role as CEO and take a sabbatical to define what’s next. This decision was not an easy one, but I believe it is the right one for me at this time,” Nicolle said.

Nicolle’s decision to leave came as a surprise to many in the industry, however, he was applauded for his leadership role, technical expertise and bravery in taking the time to focus on personal growth and development.

“All the best Marc. In the short stint we worked together, I admired and learnt a lot from your business acumen and technical expertise. Here is to more ‘so what?’ analysis reports,” Frank Sibanda a Financial Analyst at Dallaglio Investments said.

“All the best for the future Marc Nicolle. You really laid the foundations for Dallaglio Gold Mining. I am sure the adventure will continue and the next challenges will be just as awesome. Good luck,”

With over 16 years of experience in the mining and metals value chain prior to joining Dallaglio Marc Nicolle worked at Outotec, a global process technology company, where he undertook several senior positions, including driving the growth of their hydrometallurgy business in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Marc holds a B.Eng in Chemical Engineering from Stellenbosch University.

Nicolle was instrumental in bringing back to life the Pickstone Peerless and Eureka gold mines which have grown to be one of the biggest gold producers in the country employing thousands.  Eureka is arguably the most technologically advanced mine in Zimbabwe. The two mines averaged close to 160kgs of gold in 2022.

We at Mining Zimbabwe wish Marc Nicolle the best as he embarks on a new journey.

1...274275276...686Page 275 of 686