Can Zimbabwe make lithium batteries?

For example, Zimbabwe might produce lithium but making the batteries require other components made from minerals that might not be available in Zimbabwe.

Does Zimbabwe need a full-scale lithium hydroxide plant?

However, having a functional lithium refinery is easier said than done, a ‘full-scale lithium hydroxide plant needs power, chemicals and raw lithium for processing’ all these requirements are not yet available in Zimbabwe no in any African country as the lithium sector is still in its infancy (The Financial Times Newspaper, 3 April 2023)

Why should Zimbabwe invest in lithium?

As the holder of the largest lithium reserves in Africa, Zimbabwe must seize this opportunity to leverage the rising demand for the mineral. This can be achieved by developing a robust sector that attracts new investments and fosters skills development, thereby adding value to its lithium resources.

Are Chinese companies Mining lithium in Zimbabwe?

In the last few years, more Chinese companies have acquired lithium mine claims across Zimbabwe and have already started mining operations (Mining Technology 2023). Locals have also joined the ‘lithium rush’ by illegally mining on privately owned lithium claims, although this has led to conflicts (New Zimbabwe, 05 January 2023).

What are Zimbabwe's lithium resources?

Unlike in the so-called lithium triangle in South America where lithium is mined from salt pans along the borders of Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia, Zimbabwe’s lithium resources (and indeed across African countries) are largely made up of hard rock pegmatites rich in spodumene, lepidolites and petalites.

Why should Zimbabwe develop an industrial strategy?

As a resource-rich country, Zimbabwe must develop an industrial strategy in collaboration with other countries in the region which seeks to beneficiate most of its minerals locally as a way of getting better value rather than exporting them unprocessed.