Kamativi Mining Defers Lithium Plant Commissioning to September
Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) has postponed the commissioning of the second phase of its lithium processing plant to September, originally planned for last month. The facility, which is designed to process 300,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate annually, is set for a trial run this month.
KMC attributed the delay to unforeseen challenges, particularly changes in maritime logistics that disrupted the installation process. The company now anticipates that phase two will deliver its first output in the last quarter of this year.
In December 2023, KMC completed phase one of the processing plant, which was commissioned by President Mnangagwa. This initial phase has a capacity of 300,000 tonnes of ore, producing 50,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate annually.
"While we did not foresee delays in the final stages of phase two construction, unexpected changes in maritime transport led to a slight delay in the installation process. Consequently, we have deferred phase two commissioning to September 2024," KMC stated.
The second phase will significantly boost capacity, processing two million tonnes of ore to produce 300,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate per year. Once both phases are operational, KMC's combined annual production will be 2.3 million tonnes of ore, yielding 350,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate.
KMC is a joint venture between Kamativi Tin Mine and Sichuan PD Technology Group, a subsidiary of Yahua Group, a Chinese-listed entity. Kamativi Tin Mines Limited is wholly owned by Zimbabwe's sovereign wealth fund, Mutapa Investment Fund, through Defold Mine (Private) Limited. Yahua Group, ranked fifth globally among top lithium hydroperoxide suppliers and explosives, employs over 6,000 people across its 70 subsidiaries in Australia, China, Ethiopia, Namibia, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe.
