eBusiness Weekly
. Lithium and Graphite to be future strategic minerals
.Current rush driven by global demand for the mineral
Tinashe Makichi
The country is experiencing a fresh scramble for lithium exploration by foreign firms following the discovery of more deposits of the mineral across the country.
New deposits have since been discovered in areas surrounding Harare and Government is therefore shifting focus to lithium mining following an increased demand for the mineral worldwide. In 2013, the country exported about 20,1 tonnes of processed lithium realising revenue in the tune of about $3 million, according to a report from Minerals Marketing of Zimbabwe.
Exploration of more lithium deposits is likely to spark economic growth as the importance and use of the mineral spans in different sectors of economies. Locally, lithium is used in glass making at Zimglass in Gweru.
Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Fred Moyo, confirmed that there has been a scramble by foreign firms in the exploration of the mineral in Zimbabwe.
“I think there are many investors targeting lithium although I can’t be specific. What I can only say is that the world over, one of the upcoming strategic minerals is obviously lithium because of battery cars,” Engineer Moyo said. .
“Lithium and graphite are going to be strategic minerals. graphite is used on terminals of batteries and then lithium on battery is the one that can drive vehicles for long distances, go to a filling station and juice the battery again.
“So when we talk of electric cars, we are talking about the emergence of lithium batteries. China is saying that by 2040 all their cars should not be using petrol or diesel, but will be electric. So the future of lithium is very big. That is why Kamativi remains strategic for us,” said Eng Moyo.
Zimbabwe is the world’s fifth largest producer of lithium after Australia, Chile, Argentina and China and has the opportunity to increase its share of the market. Other major producers are Brazil, Portugal and the United States.
Other producers of lithium in the country include Kamativi tin Mine, Bikita Minerals and Prospect Resources. The country also has some lithium deposits in Mberengwa, Mutoko and some areas round Harare.
Government has also been contemplating possible consolidation of lithium outputs from different countries (DRC, Mozambique, Zambia and Namibia) to a conveniently located processing facility.
The mining sector has been experiencing immense growth over the last years yet the country has only been scratching the surface — hence the recent formation of Zimbabwe Mining Promotion Company.
Mining analysts are of the opinion that exploration is critical for the nation to discover new minerals and within the lithium group there are other minerals like petalite, which fetch good prices on the globalstage. Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe chief executive Isaac Kwesu, said the discovery of more minerals is good for the mining sector growth and economic development.
“If the country explores all of its minerals, there will be industrial recovery and development, trade will increase and most probably in the near future we will have the strongest economy in Africa.
“The fact that there has been some jostling in terms of exploring lithium deposits is a good indication for the country as this will drive economic growth,” said Kwesu.
Lithium is used mainly as a component of rechargeable Li-ion batteries and as a treatment for several types of mental disorders.
