Zimbabwe has been making significant strides to position itself as a key player in the global lithium market. The country’s lithium resources, currently at the concentrate stage, are central to the government’s broader economic strategy.
By Ryan Chigoche
However, the ultimate goal, according to Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon Winston Chitando, is to progress from lithium concentrate production to the manufacturing of lithium batteries and solar panels, thus driving local industrialization and sustainable energy solutions.
Speaking at the recently concluded Investing in Africa Mining Indaba event in Cape Town, Chitando outlined the government’s plan for adding value to Zimbabwe’s lithium production, which is an essential step for boosting the country’s economy and securing its place in the rapidly growing global lithium market.
“We have asked the lithium players to come together with a joint strategy for value addition to the final product, which, at this stage, is the production of solar panels and lithium batteries,” Chitando said, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative approach to the future of the lithium sector.
At present, Zimbabwe is still producing lithium at the concentrate stage, but the government is working to create a value chain that transforms this raw material into finished products, including batteries and solar panels. This strategy is crucial not just for increasing the value of Zimbabwe’s lithium but also for creating jobs and stimulating the local economy.
As part of this vision, the government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a major lithium player for the Mapinga mines, located just outside Harare.
This company, which ranks among the top three in terms of lithium production, has committed to processing lithium beyond the concentrate stage.
“This player is very significant in lithium production,” Chitando noted. “They are going to process value-added lithium beyond the concentrate stage, and it’s an agreement which has been signed by the government.”
The Mapinga project is expected to play a pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s lithium processing sector, bringing the country closer to its goal of producing higher-value lithium products.
In the near future, the government plans to introduce measures that will ban the export of raw lithium concentrate.
“Once this entity is up and running, and they are now value-adding beyond the concentrate stage, we will ban the export of concentrate. You have to sell to them,” Chitando explained. This decision is part of the government’s strategy to ensure that Zimbabwe not only benefits from its vast lithium reserves but also participates in the higher-value stages of the lithium supply chain.
However, the Minister stressed that this move would not be exclusive.
“What we are saying to the lithium players is it’s not exclusive. The agreement we have signed for the value-adding of lithium up to the final product is open for other players who have the appetite, technical, and financial capacity to come up with their own investment plans,” Chitando clarified. This approach encourages collaboration but also offers flexibility for other players in the sector. “They have to work together and invest in a common value addition process, or they can come up with different investments,” Chitando added, emphasizing the need for innovation and investment in the sector.
The government is also mindful of providing time for the sector to adjust to these changes. “No more exports of concentrates; we now want value added to our final product,” said Chitando, signalling the forthcoming shift.
The eventual ban on concentrate exports will be introduced after a specific date, allowing players to prepare for the transition and ensure that the lithium produced in Zimbabwe contributes to the local economy through value addition.
Zimbabwe’s focus on value addition is not only a means of increasing the country’s economic output but also a critical step toward sustainability.
By advancing to the manufacturing of lithium batteries and solar panels, Zimbabwe is positioning itself to contribute to the global shift toward clean, renewable energy.
With the backing of both public and private sector partnerships, Zimbabwe’s lithium industry looks poised to become a cornerstone of its economic growth in the coming decades.
