Zimbabwe Commissions Chinese-Built Lithium Plant

Image via @N35str7j62pw03D

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially opened a new lithium processing facility aimed at moving the country up the mineral value chain. The $300 million plant, run by Bikita Minerals, a subsidiary of China’s state-owned Sinomine, will produce 480,000 tonnes of petalite and 300,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrates annually.

Chinese companies’ rapid commissioning of lithium mines and processing facilities around the world is currently driving down prices. The mineral is currently trading 77% lower in China than the same time last year.

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by Cobus van Staden

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