Sandawana Lithium Mine displaces 104 families

Some 104 families in Mberengwa Central are being relocated from areas under Chief Mahlebadza and Chief Mudavanhu to make way for a US$4 million lithium processing plant being constructed by Sandawana Mine.

Mberengwa District Development Coordinator Vafios Hlabati confirmed the development.

Mberengwa Rural District Council chairperson Garisikai Moyo and other residents who spoke in Mberengwa this week said the affected families and traditional leaders were satisfied with the relocation arrangements after the mine offered improved housing and other amenities.

Each relocated family received a four-roomed house with a kitchen and toilet, with the homestead fenced and equipped with a solar power system. The mine has also drilled boreholes at the new homes and is organising irrigation schemes to support agricultural activities.

Chiefs Mahlebadza and Mudavanhu have also had houses constructed at their respective homesteads.

Village heads who provided land for the relocated families are reportedly receiving one cow for every family they accommodated.

For villagers who preferred to move to urban or business centres, the mine purchased residential stands at Jeka Business Centre, Mataga and Mberengwa.

The relocation is intended to clear the way for construction of the lithium processing plant, a project expected to expand mineral processing activities in the area.