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.
