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.
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Lithium Miner To Start Exports "Soon"

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

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.
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<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/police-intercept-trucks-with-lithium-ore/">Police Intercept Trucks Loaded With Lithium Ore</a></li>
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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.
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"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.
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