<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Farai_Maguwu">Farai Maguwu</a>, the founding Director of the Centre for <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Natural Resource Governance</a>, stated that the looting of lithium at <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Bikita Minerals</a> has reached a new level, with 754 tonnes of concentrate being processed daily.
In a Twitter post seen by Pindula News, Maguwu whose organization is working on improved governance of natural resources in Zimbabwe said 42 trucks loaded with lithium concentrate departing daily with the loot. He said:
<blockquote>
Bikita Lithium Looting Update 02/05/23 Fellow Zimbabweans, the looting of our minerals at Bikita Minerals has reached another level. They are processing 754 tonnes of concentrate per day. 42 trucks loaded with lithium concentrate departing daily with the loot.
</blockquote>
Last year, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Godfrey_Tsenengamu">Godfrey Tsenengamu </a>, former ZANU PF Youth League Political Commissar, claimed that lithium was being siphoned from <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Bikita Minerals</a> to China. <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Chinese company</a> SinoMine bought Bikita Minerals and is investing over $200 million in expanding operations and building a new processing plant. Tsenengamu, now leading the Front for Economic Emancipation in Zimbabwe, called on President Mnangagwa to address reports of looting and plunder at Bikita Minerals. He said in a Facebook post seen by Pindula News:
<blockquote>
Loads and loads of lithium at Bikita Minerals ready for shipping to China. The Chinese are extracting lithium 24 hours a day. Ndiko kuvaka nyika kwamunotaura here uku President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa kana ndiko kutengesa nyika?? Tichasara nei senyika?? [Is this what you mean by “building the nation,” President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, or is it selling the nation? What will be left of the country?] My heart is bleeding.
</blockquote>
Last year, Justice Chinhema, the General Secretary for the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union, confirmed the claims of resource plunder. He said workers at Sino Mine claim to produce around 15 000 tonnes of lithium per month which means recent claims by Maguwu signify a huge development. Chinhema told Pindula News last year:
<blockquote>
We are worried, the benefit for the country is yet to be known. Job Creation when the working conditions are worse than those that prevailed before take over might mean nothing. We need to educate our communities where mining is taking place that they need to push the government to fully implement the local share ownership so that local communities benefit.
</blockquote>
Chinhema stated that a policy should require investors to develop the areas where they mine by building schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, and other social amenities. He added that the law should mandate investors to ensure that communities receive shares from the companies, or it becomes looting.
<h2>Background:</h2>
In June 2022, President Mnangagwa <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/president-mnangagwa-commissions-us300m-lithium-project-by-sinomine/">commissioned the US$300m spodumene lithium project</a> which has one of the world’s largest lithium deposits. Bikita Minerals, <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Zimbabwe</a>‘s oldest miner of lithium-bearing minerals, has been operating in <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Masvingo Province</a> for over 70 years but has only been producing petalite, mainly for the glass and ceramics industry.
<h2>Why is this important:</h2>
The demand for lithium has increased due to the production of electric vehicles. Zimbabwe, which has a large deposit of the mineral, could potentially benefit from this, but there are concerns that the country may not be fully utilizing its resources. Zimbabwe has a history of using its <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">mineral resources</a> as <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/biti-asks-finance-minister-how-is-zimbabwe-paying-us52-billion-to-china-for-us200-million-loan/">collateral for loans</a>, which critics argue is not sustainable. Therefore, there are calls for African countries to <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/tony-blair-urges-african-countries-to-stop-exporting-raw-commodities/">process their natural resources</a> and export semi-finished or finished commodities to maximize their benefits.
In 2022, <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/12/20/zimbabwe-bans-export-of-raw-lithium/">Zimbabwe banned the export of raw lithium</a> to promote <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">value addition</a> and beneficiation of the mineral. The Minister of Mines and Mining Development, <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Winston Chitando</a>, issued the Base Minerals Export Control (Unbeneficiated Lithium Bearing Ores) Order, 2022, which prohibits the export of raw lithium. <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2023/01/13/zimbabwe-defence-industries-granted-a-special-permit-to-export-raw-lithium/">special</a>
The Zimbabwean government exempted certain miners from the ban on raw lithium exports. The <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Zimbabwe Defence Industries</a> was granted a <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2023/01/13/zimbabwe-defence-industries-granted-a-special-permit-to-export-raw-lithium/">special permit to continue exporting raw lithium</a>.
These reports of looting come as Zimbabwe is still dealing with the fallout from the release of the <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Al Jazeera</a> documentary “Gold Mafia.” The documentary alleges <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">gold smuggling</a> and <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">money laundering</a> within and around Zimbabwe, implicating some senior government officials. Zimbabwe is allegedly losing billions of dollars through gold smuggling each year.
<h2><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Pindula News

Looting Of Lithium At Bikita Minerals Has Reached Another Level - Maguwu

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

A Goromonzi councillor has praised mining company Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe for “its dedication” to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Prospect Lithium entered the Goromonzi district a year ago.
In an interview with The Herald, Ward 12 councillor Kondwakuenda Magaya said Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe had helped in the reduction of several issues including unemployment and the underdevelopment of the education and healthcare systems.
Cllr Ditima Mabasa of Ward 17 said Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe was transforming lives in the district. Mabasa is quoted as saying:
<blockquote>
In just a short period, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe has done a lot in Goromonzi district and Zimbabwe at large.
2022 saw Vhuta Primary School in Goromonzi being transformed. New classroom blocks were constructed, old ones were renovated while semi-detached teachers’ houses were constructed.
Donations of 5 500 textbooks and furniture were also made to Vhuta Primary, Belmont Primary and Mwanza Primary and Secondary schools.
</blockquote>
Other interventions include prizes for the Vhuta Farmers Dry Show, Goromonzi highway road resurfacing, Goromonzi road gravelling and construction of bridges.
The lithium mining company also donated painting accessories to Goromonzi Police Station and constructed a police base in Ward 13.
PLZ has said it intends to focus on infrastructure development and agriculture, increased company-wide commitments to reduce its environmental footprint, and boost health and education in the communities the company is operating in.
It also intends to contribute millions of dollars toward:
<blockquote>
1). the building and rehabilitation of community schools, 
2). supporting the educational needs of underprivileged children, 
3). sponsoring sporting disciplines, 
4). supporting health and disability centres, 
5). agriculture and training of farmers to enable them to enhance household livelihoods.
</blockquote>
This year’s corporate social responsibility programmes are based on its investment philosophy, “no matter where you invest, you must contribute to the local economy and society.” 
Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe is a lithium exploration and development company focused on the Kamativi Tailings Project in Zimbabwe.
 The company’s goal is to become a significant lithium producer in the region and to take advantage of the growing demand for lithium, which is used in the production of batteries for electric vehicles and other electronic devices.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Councillor Praises Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe For "Dedication" To Corporate Social Responsibility

Zimbabwe’s <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zimbabwe-bans-export-of-raw-lithium/">ban on the exportation of raw lithium</a> could trigger a rise in the price of lithium and by-products globally, miners have said.
The southern African nation is the world’s sixth-largest producer and the largest lithium miner on the continent. 
Its decision to ban raw lithium exports aims to make it a bigger player in EV battery production and support its clean energy transition.
Chris Berry, president of commodities advisory firm House Mountain Partners in New York said Chinese firms that had made recent lithium investments in Zimbabwe would need to build processing facilities there so they can export higher-value lithium chemicals.
Berry is cited by The Herald, a state-run newspaper, as saying building the facilities would be at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars. He said: 
<blockquote>
There is a great deal of capital required to build chemical conversion facilities outside of China, not to mention the two or three-year lead time necessary to actually complete construction and commissioning.
</blockquote>
He added if more countries followed suit, it could have wider implications, such as higher prices for lithium and other raw materials.
Zimbabwe produced 1 200 tonnes of lithium in 2021, making it the sixth-largest miner globally behind Brazil (1 900 tonnes), Argentina (6 200 tonnes), China (14 000 tonnes), Chile (26 000 tonnes) and Australia (55 000 tonnes).
Sinomine Resource Group recently acquired “the world’s largest-known lithium deposit in Zimbabwe”, the Bikita mine, and has invested more than $200m into expanding it.
The British Geological Survey published a report in 2021 identifying multiple new potential lithium sources in Zimbabwe, which were either proven to be feasible for development or already in development. 
State media reported that Chinese companies Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine Resource Group and Chengxin Lithium Group had acquired lithium projects worth a combined US$679m and begun progress on processing facilities, exempting them from the ban.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

"Zimbabwe's Ban On Exportation Of Raw Lithium Could Trigger Price Hike Globally"

<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

Acting President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Constantino_Chiwenga">Constantino Chiwenga</a> has said iron and lithium will be pivotal for Zimbabwe’s economic growth just as oil is to Saudi Arabia.
Chiwenga who doubles as the Minister of Health and Child Care made the remarks while addressing a Family of God (FOG) 2022/23 national thanksgiving and dedication prayer in Bulawayo on Thursday, NewsDay reported. He is cited as saying: 
<blockquote>
Fear not for the Lord Almighty is with you. Zimbabwe will not die or collapse. Those who want this God-given country to fold will be punished threefold. Yes, it has been painful to our people, but that’s the price we have to pay.
And so, we shall build our nation with the resources which we were given by the Almighty God.  We are faced by unjust and illegal sanctions. We have embarked in the work of re-engaging with hostile regimes, which have imposed illegal sanctions which are meant to cripple us. As we work hard on the frontier of engagement and re-engagement, we can say we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, with our sister African nations assisting us. Iron and lithium will be pivotal in the growth and development of the country. Just as oil is to Saudi Arabia, so is lithium to Zimbabwe. So, we will not die.
</blockquote>
His remarks come as 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>
<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>
</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. 
In June this year, the minister of Mines and Mining Development, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Winston_Chitando">Winston Chitando</a> said Zimbabwe is on course to achieve the US$12 billion mining industry target by 2023.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s 2022 surplus from oil sales came to 102 billion riyals (US$27 billion), according to the kingdom’s finance ministry’s preliminary estimates.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

"Just As Oil Is To Saudi Arabia, So Is Lithium And Iron To Zimbabwe" - Chiwenga

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has intercepted trucks with lithium ore in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mutoko">Mutoko</a> at a time all exports of lithium ore and inadequately processed lithium are now banned to promote value addition and beneficiation of the mineral. 
The intercepted loads are stored at Mutoko Central Police Station, according to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/police-intercept-truck-loads-of-lithium-ore/">The Herald</a>.
The publication did not disclose the quantity of lithium that was in the trucks.
The government recently claimed that potential revenue was being lost with illegal lithium mining and smuggling. 
Lithium is processed in several steps with most global trade in lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide since the actual metal is highly reactive and bursts into flame on contact with water or in moist environments and corrodes very quickly in the air.
Mutoko villagers are reportedly selling lithium ore for between US$15 to US$20 per wheelbarrow load, or US$100 per tonne, to middlemen who would resell it for US$350 to US$450 a tonne. 
Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Polite_Kambamura">Polite Kambamura</a> who toured some of the sites of illegal lithium mining in Mutoko said Government never issued a lithium licence.
Kambamura said registering a lithium claim was no guarantee of being allowed to mine and sell it since partial processing of a minimum level is now required. He said:
<blockquote>
For one to mine, we need to know your beneficiation plant in line with NDS1 where Government is encouraging local value addition and beneficiation. So, as Government we need to stamp our authority at the roots so that we deal with the main problem of illegal export or smuggling of lithium.
Currently there is a lot of illegal lithium mining especially in this region because of near surface lithium ore. Despite Government banning export of lithium ore, there is still plenty of lithium mining happening with buyers all over. 
We do not know where they are taking that lithium after the ban. If they are buying lithium illegally which means they are also exporting that lithium illegally which is smuggling.
</blockquote>
Some reports suggest that the Chinese and Indians are the main buyers of lithium.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Police Intercept Trucks Loaded With Lithium Ore

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has commissioned a US$300m spodumene lithium project by SinoMine a Chinese company with anticipation of changing the fortunes of Bikita Minerals which has one of the largest deposits of the mineral in the world.
<a href="https://midweekwatch.co.zw/ed-commissions-us300m-bikita-lithium-project/bridget/">The Midweek Watch’s Bridget Mutukwa</a> reports that the commissioning was done on Friday last week at a ceremony held at Bikita Minerals’ Lithium Stadium and was attended by thousands of people including Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
SinoMine, a Chinese mining company bought Bikita Minerals from shareholders including Dzikamai Mavhaire and they are pouring over US$200 million into building a new processing plant while expanding operations.
Bikita Minerals is Zimbabwe’s oldest miner of lithium-bearing minerals having operated in Masvingo Province for over 70 years, but has only been producing petalite, which is used mainly in the glass and ceramics industry.
SinoMine now plans to build a plant to process spodumene lithium, a concentrate used by battery and solar manufacturers as the country moves towards the use of clean energy and securing a strategic position in the global lithium market. The manufacture of electric vehicles has increased demand for lithium which is essential for the production of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.
SinoMine is set to have a 110km 132kVA power line from Mashava substation to Bikita to feed its operations at the mine as part of its long-term investment.
SinoMine said they are working in line with the Government’s call for the value addition of all minerals mined in the country so that the nation benefits more from its natural resources. SinoMine said:
<blockquote>
After the completion of the expansion and construction, we will our annual turnover will be US$500m, which also means that the Government will get more tax from the company.
</blockquote>
Apart from the huge investments the company promised to engage in social responsibility projects for the Bikita community so that they also benefit from the natural resources.
President Mnangagwa pledged to visit the mine in the next two years to monitor production progress as well as to check on promised community projects.
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