Yahua Group Boosts Zimbabwe’s Lithium Industry with Significant Investments and Community Development

The Yahua Group, a Chinese investor mining lithium in Kamativi, Hwange District of Matabeleland North province, Zimbabwe, has infused over US$2 million into various community development projects, garnering praise from local leaders and the community. This investment coincides with the commissioning of the Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) Phase One Lithium Processing Plant by President Mnangagwa, with construction of a second plant expected to be completed by July.

This expansion is set to increase the production capacity to 2.3 million tonnes of raw ore and 300,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate annually. The revitalization of the mine, which was shuttered in 1994 due to a drop in international tin prices, marks a significant economic resurgence for the region. KMC, which began operations in 2019, plans a total investment of US$249 million in the project, with US$100 million already allocated to the first phase.

Mr. Meng Yan, president of the Yahua Group, highlighted the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility during the plant’s opening ceremony. Investments have been directed towards road rehabilitation, restoration of electricity and water supplies, and support for local schools and clinics. In addition to these community projects, KMC has contributed significantly to Zimbabwe's treasury with more than US$8 million in taxes paid to date.

The company's efforts are not just financial. Employment has also seen a boost, with 300 direct jobs and around 1,000 indirect jobs through subcontracting, revitalizing a town that had become nearly desolate after the mine’s closure. Mr. Yan emphasized the seamless integration and cooperation between Chinese and Zimbabwean stakeholders as a cornerstone of the project’s success.

President Mnangagwa lauded the project for its role in positioning Zimbabwe as a leading lithium producer in Africa and underscored his administration’s commitment to fostering a favorable investment climate. He praised the job creation and skills transfer facilitated by the project, aligning with the government’s Vision 2030 to transform Zimbabwe into an empowered upper middle-income economy.