Minex is set to host the first-ever lithium value chain workshop in Harare that will see the clarification of the mineral’s policy, exploration of opportunities within the sector, and networking of the players in the value chain.
Speaking to Great Dyke News 24, Minex Chairman Munyaradzi Hwengwere said the workshop which will be running under the theme “Unlocking value from lithium”, will see delegate getting in-depth knowledge of the lithium sector from experts and policymakers.
“As you have heard, there is a lithium workshop on the 30th of March 2023 in Harare.
“What is this lithium that seems to get everyone crazy from my folks in Mberengwa to retailers in Harare to energy companies all over the country?
“What is it? The truth is that as much as lithium has become the buzzword in Zimbabwe we know very little about it. What is it anyway? If you look at it, would you know it? The truth is that we are told you can not see lithium with the naked eye, you have got to process lithium.
” What is the policy around lithium? Anyway, are all lithium batteries the same? We even get fake lithium batteries, if I want to get lithium is it better than relying on my ‘old dear friend ZESA?” ,he queried.
He added that the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Dr. Polite Kambamura is the invited the guest of honor at the event.
“To tell the truth Zimbabwe needs to invest a lot into understanding lithium. We need help in terms of energy. How do I tap into lithium as an investor?
“What about being a retailer? We don’t have answers to a lot of these questions including what lithium is all about.
“Except on the 30th of March in Harare, we have a lithium workshop. Experts are going to come from all over Zimbabwe and the subject will be lithium. We have Dr. Hon. Polite Kambamura. He is an expert miner not just in government and he is going to be there talking about lithium,” he said.
Zimbabwe, which has Africa’s largest lithium deposits, thinks it can do better from the price surge. Its Bikita mine, 300km south of the capital Harare, boasts 10.8m tonnes of lithium ore and the Arcadia Lithium Mine is expected to reach an annual production of 2.5m tonnes, which could equate to US $3bn in exports.
