Zimbabwe is set to take a major step in mineral value addition with the construction of a US$400 million Lithium Sulphate Plant by Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ), marking the country's and Africa's first facility of its kind dedicated to producing battery-grade lithium sulphate.
PLZ, which operates the Arcadia Lithium Mine in Goromonzi, is investing US$400 million in the establishment of the state-of-the-art facility. The plant incorporates advanced technology for the production of lithium sulphate, a critical input in the manufacturing of batteries and other industrial products.
Related Stories
According to Cabinet, construction of the plant is underway at the Goromonzi site and will comprise three production lines, each designed to process 500,000 metric tonnes of concentrate annually. The first production line is expected to be commissioned in January 2026, followed by the second and third lines in April 2026.
Once fully operational, the facility will produce approximately 80,000 metric tonnes of lithium sulphate per year. The project is expected to generate around US$320 million in annual revenue and create more than 1,000 jobs, marking a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s efforts to move up the global lithium value chain.
Government said the development will not only boost export earnings but also position Zimbabwe for participation in the fast-growing electric vehicle manufacturing industry. The project forms part of the country’s broader strategy to promote domestic processing of its mineral resources and reduce dependence on raw material exports.
Leave Comments