Shongedzai Mugwagwa

The former tin mining company, Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) is set to re-open as a

lithium mine through a joint venture between the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) and Pude Technology, a Chinese company.

According to a source in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, the mine will open at full scale by June 2023.

“The joint venture was consummated at an equal shareholding of 50% each. ZMDC revealed that the joint venture had so far raised approximately US$10 million towards the re-opening of the mine. However, it was highlighted that to fully constitute operations at the mine, the joint venture agreed to raise approximately US$100 million.

“In line with Government dictates, the mine is set to re-open with a lithium processing plant mounted at the mine. However, the processing plant is yet to be shipped from China though preparatory development has already started on the foundations at which the plant will be installed,” the source said.

Additionally, it was revealed that there are approximately 70 people working on site removing dump on top of lithium ore at the old pit that was left closed since 1994.

Meanwhile, a community resident revealed to this publication that the re-opening of KMC, although not yet at full scale, has brought smiles to the community which is in anticipation of unending opportunities for the community in terms of employment creation, and income generation through down-stream industries. The re-opening of KMC dovetails with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) which aims at creating a 12billion dollar mining industry in Zimbabwe by 2023.