The Renovation And Expansion Project Of The Only Lithium Mine in Africa Started

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said that the Zimbabwean government attaches great importance to Chinese enterprises' investment in Zimbabwe, and many Chinese enterprises have invested in various sectors of The Zimbabwean economy, achieving a "win-win situation" for investors and local communities. The acquisition of Bikita and investment in the expansion and construction of new production lines will cement Zimbabwe's position as a diversified producer of minerals and a major player in the battery mining supply chain, adding value to the manufacturing chain. Zimbabwe, with its vast lithium deposits, has the potential to become Africa's green energy development and manufacturing hub. It is hoped that through the investment from China and other international capital, Zimbabwe can fully develop lithium resources, improve the development level of manufacturing industry, create more industrial added value, help achieve the goal of "mining output value of $12 billion by 2023", and contribute more to the development of global green energy.

Wang Pingwei, chairman and President of China Mineral Resources, said that China Mineral Resources has been deeply engaged in Zimbabwe's mining market for more than 15 years and has won the trust and support of the Zimbabwean government and local people. In order to better promote Bikita mine resource utilization value, create more revenue and jobs, realized the resource plans to invest $200 million, the existing production line expansion renovation by June next year is expected to build reaches producing, the future will be more than 1000 new jobs, in order to promote the development of Zimbabwe's economic and social development especially in mining areas.

Bikita is the only active lithium mine in Africa. According to an IRES resource estimation report, the cumulative amount of retained lithium found in Bikita is 29.414 million tons of ore, with an average grade of 1.17% lithium oxide and a lithium oxide metal content of 344,000 tons. In addition, there are several unproven LCT pegmatite rocks in the Bikita area, which have the potential to further expand the lithium, cesium and tantalum reserves.