Zimbabwe to start lithium sulphate production in 2026

Zimbabwe is set to produce its first lithium sulphate by early next year following the completion of a US$400 million processing plant at the Prospect Lithium Mine in Goromonzi. The milestone comes as the country gears up for the 2027 ban on lithium concentrate exports, signalling a major step in its value-addition strategy.

Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando confirmed that the new facility will process 3.6 million tonnes of ore annually, producing 1.5 million tonnes of concentrate across three lithium sulphate production lines. Operations on the first line are scheduled to begin in January 2026, with the remaining two lines expected online by April.

"The beneficiation project is a key part of Zimbabwe's industrial strategy, aimed at transforming raw minerals into higher-value products," Minister Chitando said.

Arcadia Mine's General Manager, Henry Zhu, said the plant's output could exceed 60 000 tonnes annually once at full capacity, reinforcing the government's ambitions to drive local battery production and broader industrial growth.

The initiative is projected to push Zimbabwe's lithium export revenues beyond US$1 billion, cementing the country's position as a competitive player in the global lithium market.

"This is a significant achievement for Zimbabwe's mining sector, as it moves from exporting raw minerals to value-added products that can support domestic manufacturing and export growth," Minister Chitando added.

The Prospect Lithium Plant represents a critical component of Zimbabwe's long-term strategy to leverage its abundant mineral resources for industrialisation and economic transformation.