Staff Reporter
The construction of a 15-megawatt (MW) thermal power plant at Sabi Star Lithium Mine in Buhera District, Manicaland Province, is nearing completion, with commissioning expected by the end of this quarter, a senior official confirmed.
The project, which cost approximately US$25 million, is set to reduce the mine’s reliance on the national power grid, which has been hampered by limited generation capacity.
Currently, the mine operates on a heavy-duty diesel-powered generator, incurring operational costs of about US$1 million per month.
Sabi Star Mine Manager, Engineer Oswald Makonese, said efforts are on track to commission the thermal power plant by March 31, 2025.
“We are actually working on getting it commissioned in this quarter — and to be precise by March 31. In terms of completion of the project, we are almost 95 percent now,” said Eng Makonese.
The thermal power station, whose construction commenced in 2023, will generate 12MW for the mine’s operations, with the remaining 3MW being fed into the national grid to benefit the surrounding community.
The new power plant is expected to significantly reduce the mine’s operating costs, while ensuring stable power supply for the mine’s operations.
Owned by Max Mind Investments (Zimbabwe) (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of Chinese firm, Shenzhen Chengxin Lithium Group, Sabi Star has been steadily growing since its inception.
The mine began as an exploration project in 2015, whose bankable feasibility study was completed in 2021 and the preliminary construction work started in 2022.
The current delineated resource provides a mine life of seven years, but ongoing exploration efforts aim to double this lifespan.
The completion of the thermal power station marks a significant milestone for the mine and its surrounding community.
By feeding 3MW into the national grid, Sabi Star not only secures its energy needs, but also contributes to improving local power supply.
This development highlights the mine’s commitment to long-term sustainability and underscores its strategic role in Zimbabwe’s burgeoning lithium industry.
