Staff Reporter
President Mnangagwa on Thursday hit the ground running after his re-election tothe country’s top office during last week’s harmonized elections, as he commissioned a flotation plant at Sabi Star Lithium Mine in Buhera, Manicaland province.
Last December, President Mnangagwa presided over the ground-breaking ceremony of the US$130 million Sabi Star Lithium Mine, which is set to produce 300 000 tonnes of lithium annually, and employ over 900 Zimbabweans.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony President Mnangagwa said that he was happy to see that what was explained to his Government at the ground-breaking ceremony was coming to life.
He emphasized that Zimbabweans must enjoy the maximum benefits of the minerals being mined in their country.
“We were here some eight months ago when we did the ground-breaking ceremony for this Lithium mine, and we are happy that what was explained then has now been actualized.
“As Zimbabwe we are extremely happy that the process of mining Lithium here in Zimbabwe, benefiting our people, which is in accordance with our policies.
“They are cooperating with our policies and vision and we are happy as we want our people to enjoy the maximum benefits from our minerals.
“I would want to tell Sabi Star Lithium Mine that as a country we would support whatever expansion plans or further concessions they will need,” said President Mnangagwa.
The Government of Zimbabwe signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Eagle Canyon International Group and Pacific Goal Investments in September 2022 for the establishment of a Lithium Mine and Processing Plant in Buhera, Manicaland province.
The project has now been completed.
The project objective is the construction and operation of a one million tonnes Spodumene mine and 3 000 tonnes per day processing plant capable of producing 5.5 percent Spodumene concentrate.
The processing plant is in various stages from size reduction to flotation with a capital investment of US$45 million for the plant and an expected forex generation of about US$400 million per annum at current global Lithium prices.
The declared resource at the mine is 6 million tonnes of Lithium and Tantalite ores.
Exploration work commenced in 2018 and cost a total of US$6 million.
Earthworks for the processing plant were started in June 2022 with plant construction reaching 50 percent completion in December 2022, testing phase in May 2023 and full commissioning in August 2023.
During the construction stage, the project employed over 1 000 employees, mainly from the local communities.
Currently there are 450 employees on site.
Construction of a 15MW thermal power plant to supply power for all operations at the mine is now 40 percent complete
The Sabi Star Mine is being spear headed by Max Mind (Zimbabwe) Private Limited with the mine expected to set the country on an irreversible path of economic growth and development, boosting mining output, creating jobs, growing exports and feeding the Mining to Energy Park in Mapinga.