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Security guards employed at Richmark, a company contracted by Arcadia Lithium Mine in Goromonzi, accuse the company’s director of security, Wang, a Chinese national, of racism, intimidating and firing guards on spurious charges.
The workers also alleged that they are fed substandard food and that their ablution facilities are inhumane and degrading.
Last week, a photo of the toilets used by workers at the mine went viral on social media platforms.
The photo showed water flowing on the floor and a lack of privacy for workers when relieving themselves.
Some of the security guards who spoke to Pindula News on condition of anonymity raised several allegations against the company in general and Wang in particular.
They said, for instance, Wang routinely inspects night duty guards in the morning and those with bloodshot eyes will be accused of sleeping on guard duty.
Six guards were recently given warning letters before they were fired.
The security guards also accuse Wang of forcing them to buy cellphones. Wang allegedly travels to China to source phones at cheap prices and then forces guards to buy them at exorbitant prices.
Wang is also accused of forcing security guards to find livestock such as goats for him to slaughter for food.
This is said to be a condition to have their contracts renewed and those who refuse to do as demanded are dismissed. Said the source:
<blockquote>
Somewhere around August 2023, Wang and another Chinese guy named Yang ordered about 30 refurbished VIVO cellphones from China and then wrote a list of the names of security guards.
They then gave each one of us a cellphone and asked us to pay US$200, yet they paid only US$40 for each phone in China, and they were delivered via express cargo.
If you refuse to buy the phone, they threaten not to renew your three-month contract.
We are also forced to work during holidays and if we complain, we are threatened with dismissal.
We have a shortage of work suits, and we don’t have torches, yet we work in the bush at night. We work in a dusty environment but we have not been provided with personal protective equipment (PPE).
The toilets that we use are in poor condition and we are forced to eat substandard food.
</blockquote>
Wang is reported to be in China on vacation. Before his departure to the Far East on 23 February, he reportedly gave warning letters to several security guards for having bloodshot eyes.
Responding to questions sent via email by Pindula News, an official at Richmark admitted that they had indeed received some complaints from the workers about the poor quality of the food. Said the official:
<blockquote>
In terms of quality of food, a few complaints had been lodged by some employees a few weeks ago.
To address the issue, the management engaged the caterer and insisted they improve their standards.
The worker’s committee and SHE department were also assigned the duty of making regular checkups on the quality of food that is being supplied, and to report any substandard food to the HR department.
</blockquote>
The official said staff quarters have clean toilets with running water comprising 20 toilet seats, each with a partition and personnel that are employed as cleaners specifically for that area.
Another Richmark employee who spoke to this publication said the partitions in the toilet blocks were only installed a few days ago in response to the viral picture.
The company’s management said they were not aware that Wang was forcing employees to buy cellphones. It said:
<blockquote>
We are carrying out investigations but formally no complaint has been lodged with the management over this issue.
This is the first time that issue has come to the management’s attention.
</blockquote>
The official also disputed claims by employees that they do not have adequate PPE. He said:
<blockquote>
As per company policy, every employee is given a new worksuit/ safety shoes every 6 months.
If an employee’s PPE is damaged before the 6 months are due, they approach the SHE department with a replacement request.
An assessment is then carried out to ascertain whether the damage/ loss of PPE is through normal wear and tear due to the nature of the work or whether it is through negligence.
The outcome will result in the employee being either given a new set of PPE or made to pay a fee for replacing the damaged PPE.
There are records for PPE distribution that are kept in the SHE department and each employee is obligated to sign as an acknowledgement of receiving the PPE when their period is due.
</blockquote>
<div class="in_article">
<div>
Meanwhile, the workers said they walk on eggshells every time Wang is around and wonder “why he is always angry”.
They said their sincere hope is that he will be transferred to the Democratic Republic of Congo when he returns to Zimbabwe at the end of his 40-day vacation.
</div>
</div>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Chinese Lithium Miner Accused Of Unfair Labour Practices

Mberengwa residents voiced their discontent with Kuvimba Mining House’s failure to prioritise their needs and concerns. They expressed these concerns following an interview on ZiFM radio, hosted by Farai Mwakutuya, with Member of Parliament for Mberengwa West, Tafanana Zhou, on November 22nd, 2023. The interview centred around the lithium mining activities of Kuvimba Mining House at Sandawana Mine, situated along the Great Dyke.
The interview discussed various aspects related to the mining activities of Kuvimba House at Sandawana Mine and the development of the Mberengwa district. Key points included the relocation of Sandawana Primary School, road rehabilitation, engagement with the local community, employment opportunities, skill development, infrastructure improvements, environmental concerns, and the sponsorship of Chiefs’ courts and a hospital. Here are some of the important points discussed during the interview:
<blockquote>
1. Sandawana Primary School will be relocated from its current location. 
2. A road stretching about 10 kilometres from Sandawana to Zverenje is being rehabilitated to connect Mberengwa and West Nicholson. 
3. Kuvimba House has engaged with the local community through their leaders, particularly the Chiefs, to ensure benefits reach the general population. 
4. Tafanana Zhou called for the rehabilitation of roads in Mberengwa district and wants Kuvimba House to pave the roads. 
5. Sandawana Mine has employed approximately 1,000 local people since its reopening, with around 20% of employees being women. 
6. Local businesses are benefiting from the mining activities by supplying goods and services to the mine. 
7. Kuvimba House plans to build 16 Chiefs’ courts and is sponsoring the construction of a hospital. 
9. Tafanana Zhou expressed confidence in Kuvimba House’s efforts to mitigate environmental degradation. 
10. Local residents are suggesting the establishment of a plant for beneficiation in Mberengwa. 
11. Ordinary people in the area desire improvements such as better road infrastructure, hospitals, on-the-job training, and the construction of the Jeka Bridge. 
12. Tafanana Zhou said they won’t pressure Kuvimba into reconstructing the Jeka (Tandavarai) Bridge.
</blockquote>
Responding to the interview, residents expressed concern about the prioritisation of benefits for chiefs over community development projects. They argue that funds should be invested in initiatives like clinics, schools, infrastructure, and attracting further investment, rather than solely benefiting local chiefs. Said one resident:
<blockquote>
There isn’t anything for people with high academic qualifications from the locals which means little trickles into the communities by way of salaries. Secondly, the idea of overdoing things for chiefs in my view isn’t of any benefit to the suffering people. Chiefs already have hefty perks for doing nothing to the extent of being awarded all-terrain vehicles when police stations and clinics have nothing. Focusing on chiefs in my view is populist and counterproductive. Kuvimba should embark on more meaningful CRS such as perhaps equipping our clinics, and schools, ensuring communities have clean running water, rehabilitation of bridges dip tanks, tarring of roads and constructing a dormitory mini town to serve as a nucleus to attract further investment into the area. District administrators’ offices should be funded to decentralise and have a satellite station there so that our people begin to see development. 
</blockquote>
The residents also raised concerns about the lack of accountability and transparency in agreements and plans between Kuvimba and the chiefs. They question the absence of concrete timelines and information regarding the mining company’s investment in the community. Dr Takavafira Zhou, the President of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), said:
<blockquote>
There are certainly fundamental weaknesses in the submission by Mp Tafanana Zhou in the ZiFM radio interview.  There is virtually no timeframe for rebuilding and relocation of Sandawana Primary Schools by Kuvimba and the MP sees nothing wrong with that.
There is no timeframe for building a hospital and the MP sees nothing wrong with that.
Chiefs met Kuvimba representatives in Zvishavane but there was nothing concrete agreed upon except verbal promises, and the MP sees nothing wrong with that. Building 16 chiefs’ courts is certainly not a priority for the majority of the people of Mberengwa wallowing in poverty and misery, a consequence of natural resource plunder from Mberengwa during the colonial period and in independent Zimbabwe.
Assuming Kuvimba has employed 1000 locals which is doubtful, has the MP considered the number of workers the Co has? To date, Kuvimba has more than 5000 workers, and 1000 is insignificant. Kuvimba is also well known for its slave wages to general labourers.
Is the MP aware that the construction of a railway line from Mberengwa to Mozambique is at an advanced stage in order to enhance the looting of Lithium by Kuvimba?
</blockquote>
Residents also expressed frustration with the lack of infrastructure development in Mberengwa. They complain about the poor state of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, and accuse the mining company of neglecting its responsibility to repair and maintain these facilities. Dr Takavafira Zhou added:
<blockquote>
Kuvimba destroyed the Sandawana-Chegato-Mabika-Yorks Road; the Sandawana-Danga-Yorks Road; Sandawana-Mataga road and is now running away from the responsibility of repairing the low-lying bridges, and tarring the roads and now prefers to go through Zverenje and the MP sees nothing wrong with that.
Today Kuvimba has plundered more than 2.5 million tonnes of Lithium from Sandawana and there is virtually nothing to show for this to the people of Mberengwa.
</blockquote>
Residents compare the lack of community development in Mberengwa to other mining areas where mines have invested in schools, clinics, and infrastructure projects. Said another resident:
<blockquote>
Other communities where there are mines have benefited a lot. Check communities around Mimosa Mine, Zimplats, and Unki. Here in Mberengwa mines don’t even bother to construct proper roads for accessing their mines. We will definitely benefit from those roads as well. Mimosa has built a lot of schools, and clinics, and upgraded the Zvishavane District Hospital to a better standard. If the same can happen in Mberengwa we will be grateful. Just schools and hospitals would be a bare minimum. Or at least adding ma block pazvikoro (at schools) or textbooks, computers and stationery.
</blockquote>
Another resident said:
<blockquote>
Mberengwa is always open to looting. Where are Inyala Mine, Rhonda Mine even the Original Sandawana Mine?
</blockquote>
Residents also called for better representation and understanding of their community’s needs from leaders. They criticised current leaders for prioritising their own interests and called for leaders who prioritise sustainable development and have a better understanding of the community’s needs. Said a resident named Martin:
<blockquote>
It’s tragic. Our leaders, political and traditional, put themselves ahead of the people. There can be no better illustration. Chief should have identified more needy people from within their communities instead. But l guess that’s the African way. Mukuru ndiye anotanga kunhonga nyama.
</blockquote>
There is also criticism of the Member of Parliament for not actively engaging with the local populace and adequately representing their interests. Fumed one resident:
<blockquote>
The legislator needs a lot of help from Lithium Community Group. Let Public Relations or a spokesman/person talk for the mine. Kwete kuti Jeka Bridge rino divider attention ye Kuvimba House. The Legislator does not know the depth of the Mining House’s purse. Yes, the Mining Giant may have their own plans but there is nothing wrong in asking them to look Eastwards. As they have embarked on this huge mining venture they may receive big heavy mining equipment by railway via Ngungumbane who knows.
Jeka Bridge has stood unattended for far far too long. It’s now a nasty eye sore. Zvinotonyadzisa kuti (it’s embarrassing) how many MPs have come and gone vachisiya rakadaro (leaving the bridge in its poor state).
</blockquote>
The Jeka/Tandavarai Bridge, located on the Mwenezi River, was swept away by floods in 2017 when the Chimwe Dam walls were breached. As a result, villagers from both sides were unable to cross the river for nearly two months due to the ongoing flooding. Although attempts were made to restore the bridge, it is now described as a makeshift structure. Additionally, there are allegations that the funds allocated for the bridge’s rehabilitation were misappropriated.
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-199820" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_199820" style="width: 510px"><img alt="MBERENGWA JEKA BRIDGE BEFORE IT WAS SWEPT" class="wp-image-199820" decoding="async" height="466" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 510px) 100vw, 510px" src="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/MBERENGWA-JEKA-BRIDGE-BEFORE-IT-WAS-SWEPT-300x274.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/MBERENGWA-JEKA-BRIDGE-BEFORE-IT-WAS-SWEPT-300x274.jpg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/MBERENGWA-JEKA-BRIDGE-BEFORE-IT-WAS-SWEPT-768x701.jpg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/MBERENGWA-JEKA-BRIDGE-BEFORE-IT-WAS-SWEPT.jpg 810w" width="510"/><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-199820">Jeka Bridge before the 2017 floods</figcaption></figure> <figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-267011" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_267011" style="width: 475px"><img alt="" class="wp-image-267011" decoding="async" height="339" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px" src="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Jeka-Bridge-mberengwa-300x214.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Jeka-Bridge-mberengwa-300x214.jpg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Jeka-Bridge-mberengwa.jpg 700w" width="475"/><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-267011">Jeka Bridge after it was swept away by Cyclone Dineo-induced floods in Mberengwa. – Pictures by Believe Nyakudjara</figcaption></figure> <figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-199812" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_199812" style="width: 299px"><img alt="Jeka tandavarai bridge" class="wp-image-199812" decoding="async" height="399" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px" src="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WhatsApp-Image-2021-03-21-at-09.50.25-225x300.jpeg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WhatsApp-Image-2021-03-21-at-09.50.25-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WhatsApp-Image-2021-03-21-at-09.50.25.jpeg 612w" width="299"/><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-199812">Makeshift Jeka Bridge</figcaption></figure>
 
Mberengwa residents made the following recommendations:
1. Provide scholarships or sponsorships for individuals with high academic qualifications from the local community to pursue tertiary education in programs that will benefit the community. 
2. Introduce a book fund to provide reading materials at schools. 
3. Establish a vocational training centre for local artisans. 
4. Fast-track the upgrading of referral hospitals to benefit the entire district. 
5. Encourage other stakeholders to contribute to the development of the Mberengwa district. 
6. Pledge a certain percentage of revenue for community development projects through the chiefs. 
7. Conduct environmental impact assessments and promote local processing of lithium. 
8. Repair and maintain infrastructure in Mberengwa. 
9. Ensure fair representation and understanding of community needs by leaders. 
10. Improve accountability and transparency in agreements and plans between Kuvimba and the community. 
11. Create job opportunities and provide fair wages for local workers. 
12. Invest in community development projects like schools, clinics, and infrastructure. 
13. Engage with the community (not local leadership but the common man), represent their interests, and prioritize sustainable development. 
14. Share community dividends from the resources accruing in Mberengwa. 
15. Address the environmental impact and health concerns caused by mining activities. 
16. Prioritize community development over benefits for chiefs. 
19. Provide ambulances and upgrade hospitals for the general population. 
20. Ensure equal development and investment in Mberengwa as in other mining areas.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Mberengwa Residents Not Happy With Lithium Miner Kuvimha House, MP Tafanana Zhou

Chinese companies were awarded licenses in the third quarter that could lead to US$2.79 billion of investment in Zimbabwe, reported <a href="https://chinaeconomicreview.com/china-to-invest-2-8bn-in-zimbabwean-lithium-energy/">China Economic Review</a> citing a Bloomberg report.
The bigger chunk of the investment is in the mining and energy sectors as the southern African country pushes to develop some of Africa’s biggest lithium deposits and to end power cuts.
The planned investment is a tenfold increase on the US$271 million pledged in the same period last year.
According to a report by the Zimbabwe Development Agency, the state-owned unit responsible for securing investment, released on Wednesday, Chinese applications “were the most by number and investment value with mining being their most preferred sector followed by the manufacturing sector.
China accounted for more than two-thirds of the 180 applications.
Chinese companies have been buying lithium mines, which supply a key component for the batteries used in electric vehicles.
According to <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/zimbabwe-lithium-export-earnings-treble-as-projects-take-off/">ZimLive</a>, Chinese firms, including Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt (603799.SS), Sinomine Resource Group (002738.SZ), Chengxin Lithium Group (002240.SZ), Yahua Group (002497.SZ) and Canmax Technologies (300390.SZ).
Chinese firm Sinohydro Corporation undertook the expansion of Hwange Thermal Power Station’s units 7 and 8  which added two generators with a combined capacity of 600 megawatts.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Chinese Firms To Invest US$2.8 Billion In Lithium And Energy In Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe earned US$209 million from the export of lithium in the first nine months of 2023, nearly three times more than last year’s earnings, Mines and Mining Development Minister, <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Soda_Zhemu">Zhemu Soda</a>, said on Wednesday.
<a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/lithium-battery-exports-rake-in-us209m/">The Herald</a> reported Minister Soda as saying that the rise in demand for lithium and battery minerals is due to the growth of green energy industries.
He was speaking at the inaugural Lithium and Battery Minerals Conference held on the sidelines of the Mine Entra 2023 Exhibition in Bulawayo. Said Soda:
<blockquote>
The respective export revenue generated from the export of lithium during these years grew from US$1.8 million in 2018 to US$70 million in 2022.
By September 2023 a total of US$209 million had been realised from lithium exports, which is a very impressive improvement.
</blockquote>
According to <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/zimbabwe-lithium-export-earnings-treble-as-projects-take-off/">ZimLive</a>, Chinese firms, including Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt (603799.SS), Sinomine Resource Group (002738.SZ), Chengxin Lithium Group (002240.SZ), Yahua Group (002497.SZ) and Canmax Technologies (300390.SZ), have spent more than US$1 billion over the past two years to acquire and develop lithium projects in Zimbabwe.
The Chinese companies have built processing plants commissioned this year and are shipping lithium concentrates to China for further processing.
Zimbabwe banned the export of raw lithium in December 2022 in an effort to promote value addition and beneficiation of the mineral.
Minister Soda also said other major lithium producers are expected to start operations in Zimbabwe in 2024 as the country seeks to expand output. He said:
<blockquote>
The demand for materials used to manufacture lithium-ion batteries has increased dramatically.
Due to this demand, new investors, both local and foreign, have entered the sector to mine, process, and export lithium and battery minerals from Zimbabwe.
Lithium and battery minerals have the potential of powering Zimbabwe’s future through exploitation of all the available opportunities of the sector.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Rakes In US$209 Million From Lithium Exports In 9 Months - Minister

Kuvimba Mining House (KMH) plans to invest US$250 million into the construction of a beneficiation plant at its lithium mine operation, Sandawana Mines.
KMH is 65% owned by the government. It took over Sandawana Mines in 2019 and has so far invested US$56 million.
Sandawana Mines general manager Godwin Gambiza told <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/thestandard/business/article/200014650/kuvimba-to-sink-us250m-into-beneficiation-plant">The Standard</a> in an interview last week during a media tour of the mine that KMH has commenced feasibility studies for a 4.5 million-tonne per annum beneficiation plant. Said Gambiza:
<blockquote>
The beneficiation plant, it has got two phases. Phase one of it is the dense medium separation. We have budgeted about US$50 million for that.
Phase two of the beneficiation plant is the floatation plant itself.
For that one we’ve budgeted US$200 million. So, altogether that gives you US$250 million for a combined beneficiation plant.
The work has already commenced in terms of the feasibility studies.
Some metallurgical tests are being conducted on our material so that we can establish the stability of our own.
But looking at the timelines themselves, we are saying in 12 to 18 months we should have completed everything, including the commissioning of the plants.
</blockquote>
KMH Group chief executive officer Simba Chinyemba said that they are currently evaluating joint venture potential with some of the world’s largest companies in the lithium battery technology space.
Sandawana Mine is situated in the Mberengwa District and is rich in vast mineral resources that include tantalite, mica, emeralds, copper and gold.
The mining lease and claim holdings cover a 21-kilometre-long strip along the Mweza Mountain Range.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Kuvimba Plans To Invest US$250 Million Into A Beneficiation Plant

Zimbabwe’s Mines Minister, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Winston_Chitando/">Winston Chitando</a>, has reiterated that lithium miners must develop local production of battery-grade lithium and may face a tax on exports of lithium concentrate in the future. The southern African country holds significant reserves of lithium, a crucial battery mineral for cleaner energy technologies, which Zimbabwe hopes will help revive its struggling economy.
Chinese firms, including Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine Resource Group, Chengxin Lithium Group, and Canmax Technologies, have invested over US$1 billion in acquiring and developing lithium projects in Zimbabwe.
While some of these companies’ projects have started production and are expected to build up to nearly 1.5 million tonnes of lithium concentrates annually, Zimbabwe now wants miners to go beyond the production of concentrates that are shipped for further processing outside the country, mostly to China. Chitando suggested that the government aims to move up the value chain and encourage miners to produce battery-grade lithium locally.
Chitando explained that the government may impose a levy or even ban the export of lithium concentrates once companies can value-add beyond lithium concentrates. Chitando said in an address at the Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines annual general meeting:
<blockquote>
Obviously, what the government wants is to move up the value chain, but it won’t happen overnight.
As government, once we have an entity which can value-add beyond lithium concentrates and go a stage higher, two things will happen; the extreme case will be to ban the export of lithium concentrates, which won’t happen, or we will impose a levy.
</blockquote>
However, Huayou, which invested about US$700 million to acquire and develop Zimbabwe’s Arcadia lithium mine in 2022, expressed concerns about producing battery-grade lithium in the near term due to Zimbabwe’s lack of renewable power and key materials, such as natural gas and chemicals, whose importation would be unaffordable.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Zimbabwe Urges Local Production Of Battery-Grade Lithium, May Impose Tax

Chinese-owned lithium producer, Bikita Minerals Sinomine, has temporarily suspended operations over failure to comply with some requirements particularly the regularisation of expatriate staff and skills transfer to locals.
The mine will cease works for seven days to comply with Government mining regulations.
In a notice to stakeholders, mine manager David Mwanza said that during the 7-day period, the majority of employees are to stay at their homes and residences. Reads the notice:
<blockquote>
This notice serves to inform our stakeholders and partners that we have put our operations on hold for 7 days to address administrative concerns raised by authorities at our plant.
As a law-abiding corporate, we remain committed to fully comply(ing) with all requirements of the law and expect to resume operations once all the outstanding issues have been addressed.
In the meantime, the company’s leadership is working closely with all relevant authorities to ensure that the matter is resolved within the stipulated time frame.
During this 7-day period, all employees are to stay at their homes and residences except for those in care and maintenance.
Those on essential services will be required to perform their prescribed duties.
Bikita Minerals employs 860 workers, whose contribution we hold so dearly and during this period the company will continue to meet its obligations to them.
</blockquote>
Sinomine of China last year took over Bikita Minerals in a $US300 million investment and the mine was currently building a spodumene processing plant.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Chinese-owned Lithium Miner Suspends Operations In Zimbabwe

Lithium company <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/09/17/loads-of-lithium-at-bikita-minerals-ready-for-shipping-to-china-tsenengamu/">Bikita Sinomine</a> has begun construction on a $22 million power line stretching 120km from Tokwe to Bikita in Masvingo Province. The power line will supply electricity to Bikita Sinomine’s lithium mine and also electrify <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Bikita">Bikita</a>, Gutu, and Zaka communities and business centres.
The company has allocated $2 million for the electrification of these rural areas. According to mine manager, David Mwanza, the power line will ensure a reliable power supply for Bikita Sinomine’s mining and processing operations and provide electricity to surrounding communities. He told the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/lithium-investor-begins-us22m-power-line-project/">Chronicle</a>:
<blockquote>
This US$22 million project will guarantee us adequate and reliable power for our operations while at the same time providing electricity to communities. We have set aside US$2 million for the rural electrification programme.
</blockquote>
Mr Mwanza said Bikita Sinomine has invested $200 million in Spodumene and Pestilent Plants, both requiring constant power supply. Work on the 120km power line from Tokwe to Bikita began three weeks ago and is expected to be completed by December. The company aims to achieve $750 million in annual revenue this year, depending on the completion of the new plants in June and July.
According to finance manager Mr Amanda Makausi, Bikita Sinomine is projected to reach an annual revenue of $1 billion by 2024. The Chinese investor Sinomine’s $300 million takeover of Bikita Minerals has resulted in rapid growth, increasing production from 3 000 tonnes to 10 000 tonnes per month since February 2022.
The new plants are expected to triple production to 30 000 tonnes per month once commissioned. The increased production has also significantly increased the mine’s contribution to the fiscus, with Bikita Sinomine now being one of the biggest tax contributors in Masvingo province. The company pays $150 000 monthly in employment tax, $3 million monthly in other taxes, and mining royalties.
Bikita Sinomine’s rapid expansion has reportedly resulted in the creation of 660 jobs, with an additional 1 400 expected after the completion of the Petalite and Spodumene plants. The company is also said to be offering competitive salaries to workers along with a monthly production bonus, which is 50% of their net salary.
<h2><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Lithium Company Begins Construction On A $22 Million Power Line 

Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ) on Thursday said exports from Arcadia will commence in the near future.
The construction phase of the mine’s US$275 million processing facility commenced in May 2022 and ended in January 2023, reported <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/local-news/article/200010457/lithium-miner-to-start-exports">The Zimbabwe Independent</a>.
In an address to staff to mark the first year of Prospect’s Chinese controlling shareholders at the mine, Prospect general manager Henry Zhu said:
<blockquote>
On the international market, the prices of lithium have gone down significantly in the last few months.
Work is being done on the ground for the company to start exporting products in the near future.
</blockquote>
Prospect chairperson George Fang said the commissioning of the plant will happen in due course. After that production will commence. Said Fang:
<blockquote>
We embarked on this journey last year, on April 20, 2022, when our parent company, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Company Limited, acquired the PLZ asset and began building one of the world’s most sophisticated plants for the processing of hard rock lithium mineral resources.
At inception, we called on local communities to take up employment opportunities and this prioritisation resulted in hundreds of people being employed from local villages and wards in Goromonzi District, while people with varying skills came from all over the country.
</blockquote>
Prospect is owned by Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Company Limited.
Zhejiang Huayou is a new high-tech enterprise founded in 2002 and specializing in research and development, and manufacturing business of new energy Li-ion battery materials and new cobalt materials.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Lithium Miner To Start Exports "Soon"

Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) chief executive officer Tafadzwa Chinamo believes lithium exports can earn more foreign currency for the country than gold as more investors express eagerness to venture into lithium mining and beneficiation.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/business/article/200010120/lithium-exports-to-surpass-gold-says-zida-chief">NewsDay</a> recently, Chinamo said a lot of investment is going into lithium. He said:
<blockquote>
Investor interest is definitely there as you shall see from the (soon-to-be-released investment) figures.
There were a lot of investments, a lot of inquiries, and a lot of licences issued by ZIDA dominated obviously by mining.
Lithium is the buzz (word) these days, so a lot of investment is going in there.
The trend continued in 2023 if not at a faster pace so there is definitely interest.
If we do the entire value chain of lithium, I don’t see why it can’t surpass gold.
If you are processing it to those levels or much, much, more then definitely it will be a major export.
</blockquote>
Annually, gold generates more than US$1 billion in export revenue, according to official statistics.
Lithium is a key component of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, hence the increase in lithium interest.
Zimbabwe’s lithium deposits are located in Arcadia, Goromonzi and Kamativi.
The leading lithium miners in Zimbabwe are Chinese firms Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine Resource Group, and Chengxin Lithium Group.
The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe says the country is expected to produce 54 500 tonnes of lithium in 2023, a 9% increase over last year’s 50 000 tonnes.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Lithium Exports Can Surpass Gold, Says ZIDA CEO

Medium and small-scale miners have asked President Emmerson Mnangagwa to review the ban on lithium ore saying it threatens the viability of their operations.
The government banned the export of lithium ore in December last year in a bid to encourage local processing of the metal.
However, in a letter written to Mnangagwa Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president Henrietta Rushwaya seen by <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-13/zimbabwe-s-ban-on-lithium-ore-exports-triggers-stockpile-buildup#:~:text=The%20ban%20%E2%80%94%20introduced%20by%20the,Miners%20Federation%20President%20Henrietta%20Rushwaya.">Bloomberg</a>, lithium ore stockpiles have risen to 2 million tonnes. Wrote Rushwaya:
<blockquote>
The unexpected ban has prejudiced standing offtake agreements between miners and international buyers, some of whom had taken loans from their respective countries to trade in these minerals.
</blockquote>
Lithium is used in batteries of electric vehicles, batteries of laptops, and cell phones, as well as in the glass and ceramics industry.
Most of Zimbabwe’s lithium is exported to China or South Africa, Rushwaya said.
Meanwhile, Chinese firms Chengxin Lithium Group and Sinomine Resource Group are exploring a joint venture to set up a battery metals processing plant in Zimbabwe.
Another Chinese firm, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt has reportedly invested US$300 million to develop a processing plant at its Arcadia lithium mine.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Miners Plead For Scrapping Of Lithium Ore Export Ban

A Chinese national was arrested recently for allegedly trying to smuggle 30 tonnes of lithium out of the country.
Lu Minghui (45) of Msasa Harare was found in possession of fake documents to facilitate the transportation of the lithium from Bikita Minerals to Mozambique.
He appeared before Marondera magistrate, Esther Mabika, on Thursday last week and was remanded to 16 March on $100 000 bail.
Lu was also ordered to surrender his passport and reside at his given Msasa address.
Allegations are that on 25 February, Lu hired a haulage truck from Anter International Logistics to ferry petalite ore to Beira, Mozambique.
He allegedly gave the transporting company some soft copy documents that showed that the mineral was being ferried from Bikita Minerals.
On 28 February, upon reaching the 71-kilometre peg towards Marondera along the Harare-Mutare Highway, the truck was intercepted by detectives.
The detectives discovered that the truck was transporting petalite concentrate.
Bikita Minerals was then contacted and the company’s officials said they were unaware of the documents. Lu was then arrested.
Terrence Zenda prosecuted.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Chinese National Arrested For Trying To Smuggle Lithium To Mozambique

The World Bank has projected that Zimbabwe’s economy will grow at a modest growth rate in 2023 against a weakening global economic growth outlook, according to Xinhua.
Speaking at the Economic and Business Outlook Symposium, organized by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare on Wednesday, World Bank Senior Economist for Zimbabwe Stella Illieva said Zimbabwe’s economic growth is projected to be around 3.6 per cent in 2023, a slight increase from 3.4 per cent recorded in 2022.
Commenting on global growth projections, Illieva said growth in the sub-Saharan Africa region is more promising than the global outlook, as global growth is expected to decelerate to 1.7 per cent this year, the weakest in three decades.
She said rising geopolitical tensions and trade fragmentation elsewhere as well as climate change shocks will result in a significant slowdown of growth.
Illieva added that weakening economic activities in the global economy will have spillover effects on emerging markets and developing countries, which include Zimbabwe. She said:
<blockquote>
Aggressive monetary policy tightening to contain high inflation, deteriorating financial conditions, and continued disruptions from the war in Ukraine are the drivers of this worsening economic performance on a global scale.
</blockquote>
Growth in South Africa, the major trading partner of Zimbabwe, is expected to weaken further this year to 1.4 per cent before reaching 1.8 per cent in 2024, she said.
In addition, Illieva said the weak growth in global markets will have an adverse effect on the prices of metals and other commodities which Zimbabwe depends on. She said: 
<blockquote>
Prices of gold, tobacco, and platinum have been in decline since 2022; this trend is expected to continue this year, at least for gold and tobacco.
</blockquote>
She added that unfavourable terms of trade mean higher import bills and cost of living, fewer exports, and pressure on the domestic currency and labour market.
Her projections are slightly lower than the 3.8 per cent projections made by Finance and Economic Development Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube">Mthuli Ncube</a> last year during the presentation of the <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/2023-budget-allocations-to-government-departments/">2023 national budget last November</a>.
Ncube said the growth would be driven by favourable international commodity prices, a good agricultural season, and tight monetary and fiscal policy, among other reasons.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

World Bank Projects Zimbabwe's Economy Will Have A Modest Growth Rate In 2023

United Kingdom-based Zimbabwe businessman, Douglas Chikohora, 63, and his Cluff Africa Associates Mining Limited (CAA) are set to team up with a European firm in setting up a lithium refinery in Ghana.
Making the announcement Monday, the Minerals Commission of Ghana said the partnership between CAA Mining, a UK-incorporated company and Livista Energy would go a long way in enhancing local value addition in the West African country’s energy sector.
CAA, an established mining explorer, has been granted 18 months of exclusive licences to explore the highly rich lithium deposits in the Southern parts of Ghana. <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/uk-based-zimbabwe-businessman-in-ghana-lithium-refinery-venture/">ZimLive</a> cites Chikohora, the CAA co-founder and CEO as saying:
<blockquote>
Following the successful grant of the licenses, CAA Mining looks forward to commencing the exploration for lithium bearing pegmatite to supply Livista and prove the viability to establish some refining capability in Ghana.
</blockquote>
CAA has already identified eleven pegmatite outcrops and exposures upon which to focus the exploration and looks forward to publishing the results.
The setting up of a lithium refinery will deliver revenue sources for Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and create employment.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/just-as-oil-is-to-saudi-arabia-so-is-lithium-and-iron-to-zimbabwe-chiwenga/">“Just As Oil Is To Saudi Arabia, So Is Lithium And Iron To Zimbabwe” – Chiwenga</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/beitbridge-border-post-officials-intercept-bernard-mnangagwas-trucks-loaded-with-lithium-ore/">Beitbridge Border Post Officials Intercept Bernard Mnangagwa’s Trucks Loaded With Lithium Ore</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/police-intercept-trucks-with-lithium-ore/">Police Intercept Trucks Loaded With Lithium Ore</a></li>
</ul>
This comes at a time when Zimbabwe is experiencing a lithium rush following the discovery of the lucrative and strategic mineral in some parts of the country.
The discovery of lithium around the country positions Zimbabwe to play a dominant role in the production of lithium.
Zimbabwe, which produced 1 200 metric tonnes of the mineral in 2021 is the world’s fifth largest producer.  
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

UK-based Zimbabwean In Process To Set Up A Lithium Refinery In Ghana

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the country has to do more than ban the export of lithium and other ores.
In December last year, Zimbabwe banned the export of raw lithium in an effort to promote value addition and beneficiation of the mineral, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said at the time.
Writing in his column in <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/zimbabwe-starts-stockpiling-lithium/">The Sunday Mail</a>, Mnangagwa said the country should now focus on research and development towards transforming ores into domestic semi-and finished products. He wrote:
<blockquote>
It is not enough to ban raw mineral ores; we must begin to apply ourselves towards building industrial processes and structures, which transform those ores into semi-finished to finished products here at home.
My call to all Zimbabweans, both at home and abroad, is for us to develop a new consciousness which is oriented towards a new socio-economy in which transformational processes are domesticated to become resident in our country.
We can no longer be happy to circumvent national markets we create for our minerals, in favour of foreign ones where we are duped and where value is lost or traded cheaply.
We need a new nationalism that contests net national value loss through the un-strategic exportation of our non-renewables.
… The time, too, has come to use our comparative advantage as sources of finite raw materials to cause global capital to relocate to where the resource exists, namely in our country and on our continent.
That way, even skills we lost to the developed world will return home to complement those we build through our own efforts.
</blockquote>
Lithium is used to make energy-dense rechargeable batteries for electronics, such as laptops, cell phones, electric vehicles and grid storage.
Lithium deposits have been identified in Mashonaland East, Masvingo, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces.

It Is Not Enough To Ban Raw Mineral Ores - ED

The Government is ready to put forward US$20 million to partner investors willing to invest in a lithium battery manufacturing project in Zimbabwe, a cabinet minister has said.
Speaking at the launch of the American Chamber Of Commerce (AmCham) in Zimbabwe, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube said:
<blockquote>
Some of you were surprised when we said no more export of un-beneficiated lithium, as a Government, we are genuinely worried that resources are being exported raw and being sold at 10 percent of the market price.
So beneficiation is part of our economy’s diversification, I will be glad to see a lithium battery manufacturing company in Zimbabwe and I am prepared to put down US$20 million for Government and I am looking for partners to beneficiate lithium up to the right stage which is lithium batteries.
We can give the national project status and those kinds of incentives including a myriad of tax incentives, right across the board in mining and industry.
</blockquote>
AmCham will be a facilitating platform for US businesses willing to invest in Zimbabwe in sectors such as energy, mining, and agriculture among others.
At the same time, it will assist local businesses seeking to export to the American market, especially seasonal fruits and vegetables like blueberries, strawberries, cherries and other market gardening crops.
Marc Holtzman, chairman of AmCham in Zimbabwe, said western sanctions imposed on the country will not create problems for Zimbabwean and US companies since AmCham would simply play a facilitatory role. | <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/govt-dangles-us20m-for-lithium-battery-plant/">The Herald</a>

Govt Pledges US$20m For Lithium Battery Plant

Villagers in Mberengwa have claimed that Kuvimba Mining House took their lithium ore from Sandawana Mine and did not pay for it.
In late 2022, at least 5 000 artisanal miners invaded the former emerald mine after the discovery of lithium.
The government then moved in to control lithium mining activities at Sandawana after it emerged that some foreigners were buying the ore from locals for US$200 per tonne and exporting it.
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) was given exclusive rights to supervise mining activities while selling the ore to Kuvimba.
In November, Kuvimba and ZMF officials committed to assisting the artisanal miners with mining equipment and also buying the lithium at improved prices.
However, villagers who spoke to the Independent alleged that Kuvimba has reneged on its promise to villagers. Said the villagers:
<blockquote>
We were selling lithium to buyers including Chinese who were paying us as much as US$200 [per tonne] but when Kuvimba moved in they are paying as little as US$50 per tonne.
We were expecting Kuvimba, as a government entity, to try and match these prices but we were fooled when the officials intervened.
</blockquote>
The Independent reported sources as saying Kuvimba took away lithium ore that had been mined by villagers in the Upper and Lower Varichem and Gwamakudo areas. Said the source:
<blockquote>
Kuvimba sent a huge fleet of tipper trucks onto the mountains and loaded all the lithium ore that we had extracted and disappeared into the night.
We lost compressors and their accessories. They even took our shovels and wheelbarrows.
At least they could have paid us the little they owed us and returned our equipment.
People are afraid to go to Zvishavane to claim their equipment for fear of arrest and we know it is stored with the police.
</blockquote>
Villagers also claimed that ZMF was not helping them as promised by the leadership, saying the federation was demanding a US$5 registration fee from each villager.
ZMF provincial chairman Makumba Nyenje told the Independent that 1 200 miners were registered in Mberengwa.
Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura said he was not aware of villagers losing their lithium ore without being paid for it by Kuvimba. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/theindependent/amp/local-news/article/200006677/lithium-heist-in-mberengwa-as-kuvimba-loots-villagers-ore-without-paying">Zimbabwe Independent</a>

Mberengwa Villagers Accuse Kuvimba Of "Looting" Their Lithium Ore

Five Bulawayo-based police officers have been arrested after they allegedly connived to release <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/beitbridge-border-post-officials-intercept-bernard-mnangagwas-trucks-loaded-with-lithium-ore/">Bernard Mnangagwa’s consignment of 250 tonnes of lithium ore</a> destined for South Africa that had been intercepted by the police.
The five are:
<blockquote>
1). Milton Ronald Mathe (27), 
2). Nkatazo Siambisi Mudenda (34), 
3). Sendra Zenda (29),
4). Chiedza Mutakiwa (29) all of ZRP Mzilikazi and 
5). Detective Assistant Inspector Tawanda Shonhiwa (39) of CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit, Bulawayo.
</blockquote>
They are being charged with contravening section 174(1) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23 “Criminal abuse of duty as a public officer,” <a href="https://cite.org.zw/5-cops-nabbed-for-aiding-smuggling-of-lithium-ore-to-sa/">CITE</a> reported.
Constables Mathe, Mudenda, Zenda and Mutekiwa have since appeared in court and were granted ZWL40 000 bail each. They are expected back in court on 31 January 2023.
Detective Assistant Inspector Shonhiwa was arrested on 3 January and detained at the Bulawayo Central Police station.
Police sources say the consignment which belonged to Bernard Mnangagwa was put under police guard at the Steeldale premises while investigations continued.
Between 21 and 23 December 2022, Bernard Mnangagwa went to the premises and loaded five truckloads of lithium-bearing ores in the presence of the four accused police officers who were on guard duties. 
The Lithium bearing ores were destined for export to South Africa.
The five trucks were intercepted at Beitbridge Border Post and investigations were carried out leading to the arrest of Bernard Mnangagwa on 30 December 2022. The lithium-bearing ores were recovered.”
Mnangagwa is yet to appear in court.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

New Details Emerge On Bernard Mnangagwa's Intercepted Lithium-loaded Trucks

African Lithium Resources (Pvt) Ltd has indicated plans to focus on developing its recently acquired Tin Hill lithium resource in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Bikita">Bikita</a> into a small-scale lithium operation beginning this month.
The company is a subsidiary of Alternative Investment Market-listed Red Rock Resources Plc.
The plans were announced by Red Rock Resources CEO and chairperson Mr Andrew Bell in the company’s final audited results for the 2022 fiscal year. <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-african-lithium-resources-to-expand-zim-operations">The Sunday Mail</a> cites Bell as saying:
<blockquote>
A year ago, we would never have supposed that our first new production project of the 2020s might be in Zimbabwe, but we are delighted that it is so and that a country with a long and continuous mining history is coming back into favour, and we are helping that process.
We also expect to bring into test production one or more of the lithium assets held by our Zimbabwe subsidiary.
</blockquote>
The mining firm acquired over 51 hectares of lithium claims at Tin Hill, located 29 kilometres north of the Bikita district.
The company has already initiated environmental impact assessment processes for the project.
ALR owns 75 per cent of Tin Hill, with the balance held by a local partner.
<ol>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/security-forces-evict-thousands-of-lithium-hunters-who-had-invaded-goromonzi/">Security Forces Evict Thousands Of Lithium Hunters Who Had Invaded Goromonzi</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/just-as-oil-is-to-saudi-arabia-so-is-lithium-and-iron-to-zimbabwe-chiwenga/">“Just As Oil Is To Saudi Arabia, So Is Lithium And Iron To Zimbabwe” – Chiwenga</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zimbabwe-bans-export-of-raw-lithium/">Zimbabwe Bans Export Of Raw Lithium</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/police-intercept-trucks-with-lithium-ore/">Police Intercept Trucks Loaded With Lithium Ore</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/two-men-arrested-while-trying-to-smuggle-40-tonnes-of-lithium-ore-to-south-africa/">Two Men Arrested While Trying To Smuggle 40 Tonnes Of Lithium Ore To South Africa</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zimbabwe-scheduled-to-commission-africas-biggest-steel-plant/">Zimbabwe Scheduled To Commission Africa’s Biggest Steel Plant</a></li>
</ol>
Zimbabwe holds some of the world’s largest reserves of hard rock lithium.
Lithium is an important mineral in producing clean energy technologies, which have gained momentum in recent years.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

African Lithium Resources Plans To Enhance Operations In Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has not banned all lithium exports, the ban only applies to the export of lithium ore, the rocks that carry the mineral reported newZWire.
Following <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zimbabwe-bans-export-of-raw-lithium/">the promulgation of Statutory Base Minerals Export Control (Unbeneficiated Lithium Bearing Ores) Order, 2022, in December</a>, influential US journalist Ben Norton tweeted:
<blockquote>
Zimbabwe has banned all lithium exports. The government said it was losing $1.7 billion from exporting it as a raw mineral and not processing it into batteries in-country.
Instead of exporting raw materials, Zimbabwe hopes to develop its own industry.
</blockquote>
A headline in Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post said: “Export ban means Chinese firms will have to build plants in Zimbabwe to process lithium.”
However, Zimbabwe has not refused to sell the in-demand metal to powerful foreign companies and mining companies don’t necessarily have to build new plants.
The ban does not apply to the export of lithium concentrates, which all the major lithium miners in the country already plan to produce but only applies to the export of lithium ore.
Mines and Mining Development Ministry Secretary Pfungwa Kunaka told newZWire that the exportation of concentrates is not banned. He added:
<blockquote>
We are encouraging and promoting value addition and beneficiation.
</blockquote>
George Roach, whose company Premier African Minerals, one of the companies currently developing lithium mines in the country, said:
<blockquote>
As I understand this, the banned commodity is un-beneficiated ore. We do not plan to export ore.
We plan to mine ore and then extract spodumene from the ore and export the spodumene. I do not believe this affects us at this time.
Speaking personally, I support the regulation. Premier supports the further beneficiation of spodumene from a concentrate in-country and is actively engaged in planning such further beneficiation for spodumene produced at Zulu.
</blockquote>
The General Manager of another major lithium company, who declined to be named, told newZWire:
<blockquote>
We have no problem with that law. In fact, it protects formal operations where it stops illegal miners from potentially damaging assets to sell ore.
Our operation is currently building processing capacity and will have no problem complying with Zimbabwean laws.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Huayou Cobalt, Sabi Star, Bikita Minerals and Premier are currently building lithium processing plants, with completion mostly expected later this year. | <a href="https://newzwire.live/a-small-african-country-banning-all-lithium-exports-not-quite-here-are-the-facts-on-zimbabwes-new-law/">newZWire</a>

"Zimbabwe Has Not Banned All Lithium Exports"

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Goromonzi">Goromonzi</a> North legislator <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Ozias_Bvute">Ozias Bvute</a> (ZANU PF) has said order has been restored in Goromonzi North after security forces evicted thousands of lithium hunters who last month invaded Goromonzi North in Mashonaland East province.
Scores of unemployed youths and buyers late last year descended in the area located near the recently established Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe mine in Acturus.
The artisanal miners were gathering lithium ore, selling it for around US$10 per wheelbarrow to buyers who were reportedly selling the same ore for US$400 per tonne, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200005685/sanity-returns-in-lithium-rich-goromonzi">NewsDay</a> reported.
Ozias Bvute said mining will be done following due processes. NewsDay quotes him as saying:
<blockquote>
This will benefit both miners and the nation at large. I gathered that mining is now done in tributes and a number of youths from Goromonzi are benefiting.
</blockquote>
Illegal lithium mining in Goromonzi had resulted in massive environmental degradation, with miners also conducting their operations without ablution facilities.
This has been happening in various parts of the country where lithium was discovered.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/just-as-oil-is-to-saudi-arabia-so-is-lithium-and-iron-to-zimbabwe-chiwenga/">“Just As Oil Is To Saudi Arabia, So Is Lithium And Iron To Zimbabwe” – Chiwenga</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/beitbridge-border-post-officials-intercept-bernard-mnangagwas-trucks-loaded-with-lithium-ore/">Beitbridge Border Post Officials Intercept Bernard Mnangagwa’s Trucks Loaded With Lithium Ore</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/police-intercept-trucks-with-lithium-ore/">Police Intercept Trucks Loaded With Lithium Ore</a></li>
</ul>
The chaos prompted the government to deploy security forces.
The government has also banned the exportation of raw lithium ore, preferring value addition. Nevertheless, cases of the exportation of raw lithium are still being reported.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Security Forces Evict Thousands Of Lithium Hunters Who Had Invaded Goromonzi

Beitbridge Border Post officials Friday intercepted a consignment of lithium ore on three haulage trucks belonging to one Bernard Tafadzwa Mnangagwa.
The ore was being smuggled from Zimbabwe to South Africa and was declared as manganese, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200005657/trucks-smuggling-lithium-caught-at-beitbridge">NewsDay</a> reported.
Mines and Mineral Development ministry officials arrived at the border post on Friday morning to attend to the trucks, now under police and Zimbabwe National Army guard.
It is understood that the raw mineral was extracted from places near Sandawana in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mberengwa">Mberengwa</a>, and transported to Bulawayo, where it was kept near Khami Cafe close to Bulawayo’s Vehicle Inspection Department.
The mineral was reportedly stored there to facilitate smuggling.
This comes after the <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zimbabwe-bans-export-of-raw-lithium/">government banned exports of raw lithium</a> last week in an effort to value-add Zimbabwe’s minerals and support local production and employment creation.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zimbabwe-bans-export-of-raw-lithium/">Zimbabwe Bans Export Of Raw Lithium</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/police-intercept-trucks-with-lithium-ore/">Police Intercept Trucks Loaded With Lithium Ore</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/two-men-arrested-while-trying-to-smuggle-40-tonnes-of-lithium-ore-to-south-africa/">Two Men Arrested While Trying To Smuggle 40 Tonnes Of Lithium Ore To South Africa</a></li>
</ul>
The ban was effected through Statutory Instrument (SI) 213 of 2022 titled Base Mineral Export Control (Unbeneficiated Lithium Bearing Ores) Order, 2022.
Lithium is becoming increasingly important as the world shifts towards clean energy systems.
Zimbabwe has abundant deposits of lithium and, with rising global demand and firmer prices, it has become an attractive destination for investment in this resource.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Beitbridge Border Post Officials Intercept Bernard Mnangagwa's Trucks Loaded With Lithium Ore

The Government of Zimbabwe has, with immediate, effect suspended processing applications for new mining titles seeking rights to extraction of diamonds, copper, lithium, nickel and rare earth which are considered strategic minerals.
The government cites an overwhelming increase in demand for mining claims, <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/govt-stops-issuing-permits-for-five-key-minerals/">The Herald</a> reported citing a correspondence signed by Permanent Secretary for Mines and Mining Development Mr Pfungwa Kunaka.
The correspondence dated December 19, 2022, was addressed to provincial mining directors and the deputy cadastre registrar and the mining affairs board secretary.
The Government has also directed that on applications for inspection certificates, the applicants should submit:
<blockquote>
a). a declaration of the amount of work carried out on mining claims,
b). a declaration of minerals contained in the ore body being mined.
</blockquote>
Reads part of the correspondence:
<blockquote>
We have of late seen flooding of applications for mining titles for minerals which have now been deemed strategic in the upcoming Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill.
It has thus become necessary that in the national interest we temporarily stop acceptance and processing of applications for mining titles for the following minerals until further notice: diamonds, copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earth minerals.
The above directives are to be implemented with immediate effect.
It has come to the Ministry’s attention that some miners have not been declaring discovery of different minerals from the one that they are registered for.
This non-declaration has led to prejudice to the growth of the mining sector economy as in some instances high-value minerals are involved.
Accordingly, you are hereby directed to ensure that on applications for inspection certificates the applicants submit a declaration of the amount of work carried out as well as a declaration of minerals contained in the ore body being mined.
</blockquote>
This, it said, should be backed by an assay certificate issued by an approved laboratory. 
The government recently <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zimbabwe-bans-export-of-raw-lithium/">banned the exportation of raw lithium.</a>
The deputy cadastre registrar and mining affairs board secretary are now required to undertake frequently targeted inspections to prevent leakages and losses while monthly reports of such inspections need to be submitted to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
In 2019, the Government launched a US$12 billion mining industry strategic roadmap by next year aimed at increasing production in the sector from the low levels of about US$2.7 billion in 2018.
Authorities say the sector has grown to about US$5.3 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach US$8 billion this year.
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Zimbabwe Suspends Issuance Of Permits For 5 Strategic Minerals

Zimbabwe has banned the export of raw lithium in an effort to promote value addition and beneficiation of the mineral.
The Minister of Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando banned the export of raw lithium through the Base Minerals Export Control (Unbeneficiated Lithium Bearing Ores) Order, 2022. The regulations read:
<blockquote>
UNDER the powers conferred upon me by section 3(1)(a) of the Base Minerals Export Control Act [Chapter 21:05], I, Winston Chitando, MP, Minister of Mines and Mining Development, by this my order direct that with immediate effect as follows:—
1. This order may be cited as the Base Minerals Export Control (Unbeneficiated Lithium Bearing Ores) Order, 2022.
2. In this order— “lithium-bearing ore” means any mineral ore containing lithium; “unbeneficiated lithium means any lithium in whatever form that has not undergone processing to an extent that would exempt it from the payment of export tax under section 12B (“Collection of tax on exportation of unbeneficiated lithium; determination of value thereof”) of the Value Added Tax Act [Chapter 23:12];
3. (1) No lithium-bearing ores, or unbeneficiated lithium whatsoever, shall be exported from Zimbabwe to another country except under the written permit of the Minister given under subsection (2).
(2) On written application by any party—
(a) wishing to export samples of lithium-bearing ore or unbeneficiated lithium for assaying outside Zimbabwe;
or
(b) to a miner or exporter of lithium upon production of written proof satisfactory to the Minister that there are exceptional circumstances justifying the exportation in question and that the lithium bearing ores or unbeneficiated lithium in question have been valued in terms of section 12D(3) of the Value Added Tax Act
[Chapter 23:12] for purposes of payment of the export tax on unbeneficiated lithium, that is to say—the market value thereof on the date of exportation has been determined by reference to a reputable metals exchange; or
(ii) its value is reflected on any document required to be delivered in terms of the Customs and Excise Act [Chapter 23:02] for its exportation under that Act.
4. To avoid doubt—
(a) section 5 of the principal Act provides that “An order shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith in any other enactment or any trade or customs agreement to which the State is a party.; and
(b) section 6 of the principal Act provides that any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any order or with the terms and conditions of any permit issued to him or her under an order shall be guilty of an offence and liable to—
(i) a fine not exceeding level 9 or twice the value of the base minerals in respect of which the offence is committed, whichever is the greater; or
(ii) imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years; or to both such fine and such imprisonment
</blockquote>

Zimbabwe Bans Export Of Raw Lithium

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for a new US$130 million Sabi Star lithium mine in Buhera District, Manicaland Province.
According to a report by <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/us130m-lithium-mine-sets-zim-on-growth-path/">The Herald</a>, the mine is set to produce 300 000 tonnes of the mineral a year and employ more than 900 Zimbabweans.
The Sabi Star Mine is being spearheaded by Max Mind (Zimbabwe) Private Limited.
Max Mind has reportedly injected more than US$22 million to date. It plans to invest another $108 million into the mine by July 2023.
After the groundbreaking ceremony, President Mnangagwa later addressed ZANU PF supporters who were gathered at Mkwase Primary School in the district. He said:
<blockquote>
The investment of about US$130 million by Maxi Mind (Zimbabwe) is most welcome and will go a long way towards our quest to establish vibrant lithium mining and value chain industries in our country.
This project among others will give further impetus to the overall modernisation, industrialisation and growth of our economy.
Government invites more investors to take up opportunities that abound in the exploration, extraction and beneficiation of our gold, diamonds, lithium, chrome, our platinum group of metals, our nickel, iron, coal and methane gas among others.
… It is pleasing that Maxi Mind (Zimbabwe) plans to set up a unique battery-grade lithium plant in Mapinga.
This mining project will therefore directly feed into the Mines to Energy Park in Mapinga, which will house a lithium processing plant, marking the inception of a lithium ion battery value chain in Zimbabwe and the region.
The plant is set to see the company contributing over US$500 million in earnings annually towards the realisation of the US$12 billion mining sector economy by 2030.
This single plant in Buhera, in two years’ time, will be earning about US$2 billion.
</blockquote>
Sabi Star Mine plans to realise a target of processing 300 000 tonnes of ore to give between 800 and 1000 tonnes of lithium concentrate per day.
The Mine has 55 mining claims covering 3 800 hectares and about 40 families who have been affected by the mining operations have been relocated.

Mnangagwa Presides Over Groundbreaking Ceremony For US$130 Million Lithium Mine

More than 5 000 artisanal miners who had descended on Sandawana Mine in Mberengwa in search of lithium have been dispersed, an official has said.
The artisanal miners and dealers had descended on the defunct emerald mine in search of the newly-discovered lithium.
Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Larry Mavima said some “unscrupulous” businesspeople were buying the lithium from the illegal miners before exporting the mineral. Said Mavima:
<blockquote>
We were informed that there was a lithium rush in Mberengwa and that’s why we decided to come down to have first-hand information on the goings on.
We have since stopped all the operations to allow for formal operations.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president, Henrietta Rushwaya, said artisanal miners should benefit from the lithium. She said:
<blockquote>
We as ZMF are coming up with plans to make sure that artisanal miners benefit from lithium mining at the same time make sure that Government is benefiting from this lithium mining.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Kuvimba Mining House will be conducting exploration works at Sandawana Mine after it obtained a mining tribute for the mine. | <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/police-stop-illegal-lithium-mining/">The Herald</a>

Police Stop Illegal Lithium Mining At Sandawana Mine

Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti has criticised the government’s new policy which compels miners to pay half of their royalties in minerals.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently said the new policy will start this month and it will enable the country to build reserves of valuable minerals.
Writing in his weekly column published in <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/govt-mulls-national-minerals-reserve">The Sunday Mail</a> newspaper, Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe seeks to build a national reserve of valuable minerals that include gold, diamond, platinum and lithium. 
Responding to the announcement, Biti said changes in the royalties regime can only be done through an Act of Parliament.
He also argued that it doesn’t make sense to build reserves of lithium and platinum. Biti said the government should instead establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). He said:
<blockquote>
The regime’s directives that half of the mining royalties must be paid as processed ore with effect from October is one of those ill-thought zany ideas that reflect vacuousness &amp; cluelessness.
For starters, no changes in the royalties regime can be made without changes in the law &amp; parliament’s involvement &amp; approval.
Secondly whilst a case can be made for building gold reserves, it is absolute insanity to keep reserves of chrome, lithium or platinum. Why and what for?
Minerals are not liquid &amp; have fluid values determined by international commodity markets. Determining value for royalty purposes will always be a challenge.
Particularly for platinum which has at least 6 derivative metals including rhodium, nickel, gold &amp; silver.
Only a Sovereign Wealth Fund insulated against demands for recurrent obligations can act as a reserve of mineral wealth to be used &amp; enjoyed by future generations.
Successful models of SWF, the biggest &amp; most successful being Norway’s exists. The regime has failed to build its own SWF.
</blockquote>

Biti Criticises New Rule That Compels Miners To Pay Royalties In Minerals

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said a new policy which compels miners to pay half of their royalties in minerals and in cash will start this month to enable the country to build reserves of valuable minerals.
Writing in his weekly column published in <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/govt-mulls-national-minerals-reserve">The Sunday Mail</a> newspaper, Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe seeks to build a national reserve of valuable minerals that include gold, diamond, platinum and lithium. He wrote:
<blockquote>
To that end, we have decided on this new policy which is dynamic, and which for a start targets four of our key minerals.
Two of them are precious; they are gold and diamonds.
These must now be stockpiled both for prudence and inter-generational equity.
The other two are high-value minerals, and these are lithium and platinum group of metals, PGMs.
</blockquote>
Mining companies that operate in Zimbabwe include subsidiaries of Impala Platinum Ltd., Anglo American Platinum Ltd. and Sibanye Gold Ltd.
The southern African country has the world’s third-largest reserves of platinum, and also mines nickel, chrome, lithium, copper, tin and coal, among other minerals.

Mnangagwa Says New Mining Royalty Rule Starts This Month

The Zimbabwean government wants gold, diamond and platinum miners to pay half of their royalties to the government in the commodities themselves and the rest in cash.
Finance and Economic Development Permanent Secretary <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/George_Guvamatanga">George Guvamatanga</a> said the move is aimed at building the southern African country’s mineral reserves.
In a letter sent to the Ministry of Mines on September 2, 2022, Guvamatanga said the Treasury was concerned that the country does not have reserves of the minerals, which “serve as a source of trust in a country given that they carry no credit or counterparty risks,” 
Guvamatanga confirmed the Treasury’s plans in a phone interview with Bloomberg on Friday saying “It’s something we want to implement.” 
Polite Kambambura, deputy mines minister, said in a phone interview that consultations are still being undertaken with miners, including multiple meetings this week. He said:
<blockquote>
The whole idea by the Ministry of Finance is that they want to store value of our royalty.
</blockquote>
Mining companies that operate in Zimbabwe include subsidiaries of Impala Platinum Ltd., Anglo American Platinum Ltd. and Sibanye Gold Ltd. 
Zimbabwe has the world’s third-largest reserves of platinum and also mines gold, diamonds, nickel, chrome, lithium and coal.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Govt Wants Miners To Pay Royalties In Diamonds, Gold, Platinum

Two men from Mutoko have been arrested after they allegedly tried to smuggle 40 tonnes of lithium ore out of the country using a South African registered truck.
The duo Livingstone Barnet (32) and Raison Murima (30) were arrested on September 7, 2022, by police at a roadblock. One of the suspects identified as Tapiwa Nyauchi is on the run.
Barnet and Murima appeared before Mutoko magistrate Elijah Sibanda who remanded them out of custody to September 26 on $30 000 bail.
The truck remains at Mutoko police station laden with the ore pending laboratory tests on the mineral content of the ore, according to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200000628/two-jailed-for-trying-to-smuggle-lithium-ore-to-sa">NewsDay Zimbabwe.</a>
According to the State outline, the suspects face charges of contravening Section 368 of the Mines and Minerals Act relating to prospecting for any mineral, mineral ore or natural gas without a license or permit.
<h2>Allegations:</h2>
The State alleges that on September 7, 2022, the accused persons were intercepted at Rukanda business centre, Mutoko by police who searched their truck and discovered 40 tons of lithium ore.
The duo revealed that they had extracted the ore from Chishambiro area, in Mudzi. Upon arriving at the ‘mine’ police recovered two drill bits, one generator and some shovels.
In court, prosecutor Nathan Mujuru said smuggling of minerals must be viewed as economic sabotage and must attract a hefty sentence.
The accused persons had no mining certificates, or any other documents authorising them to remove any mineral from one place to the other. 
This is happening as the manufacture of electric vehicles has increased demand for lithium which is essential for the production of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.
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