Categories: Stories

Bikita Minerals in $7 million expansion

Zimbabwe’s main lithium producer, Bikita Minerals, will this year spend over $7 million on plant upgrade and geological exploration as it plans to double output in 2018, an official has said.

The mine holds the world’s largest known lithium deposits, estimated at 11 million tonnes.

Mine Manager David Mwanza said the mine is retooling to meet increased demand.

“Bikita is retooling to meet an increase in demand. Between the end of 2016 and the end of 2017 Bikita will spend over $4m on plant upgrades and a further $3.5m on geological exploration,” he said.

“Bikita has already installed some new equipment in conveyor belts and screens (and) a cone crusher. (Bikita) is installing a new optical sorting plant followed by a new DMS plant to second the one operating now.”

Mwanza said the new equipment would help increase output to 80 000 tonnes per year, double the figure achieved in 2016.

The mine has produced a peak of 50 000 tonnes a year, according to reports.

Former energy minister Dzikamai Mavhaire is a significant shareholder in Bikita Minerals.- The Source

(188 VIEWS)

This post was last modified on March 13, 2017 8:11 pm

Charles Rukuni

The Insider is a political and business bulletin about Zimbabwe, edited by Charles Rukuni. Founded in 1990, it was a printed 12-page subscription only newsletter until 2003 when Zimbabwe's hyper-inflation made it impossible to continue printing.

Recent Posts

Will Mnangagwa go against the trend in the region?

Plans by the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front to push President Emmerson Mnangagwa to…

October 22, 2024

The Zimbabwe government and not saboteurs sabotaging ZiG

The Zimbabwe government’s insatiable demand for money to satisfy its own needs, which has exceeded…

October 20, 2024

The Zimbabwe Gold will regain its value if the government does this…

Economist Eddie Cross says the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) will regain its value if the government…

October 16, 2024

Is Harare the least democratic province in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, which is a metropolitan province, is the least democratic province in the…

October 11, 2024

Zimbabweans against extension of presidential term in office

Nearly 80% of Zimbabweans are against the extension of the president’s term in office, according…

October 11, 2024

Zimbabwe government biggest loser when there is a discrepancy in the exchange rate

The government is the biggest loser when there is a discrepancy between the official exchange…

October 10, 2024