Zimbabwe Lithium to start DMS plant construction by Q2

22nd January 2019 By: Marleny Arnoldi - Deputy Editor Online

Zimbabwe Lithium Company completed bulk testwork on tailings material from its Kamativi tailings project, in Zimbabwe, during the last quarter of 2018.

The testwork was completed with the help of South African national mineral research organisation Mintek.

The results of the testwork met the company’s expectations, with a sample of high-quality +6% lithium oxide concentrate.

Moreover, Zimbabwe Lithium in December concluded a $9.5-million offtake finance facility term sheet with Transamine Trading – a Swiss commodity trader with operating experience in Zimbabwe.

“This milestone will not only secure the full project financing for the Phase 1 dense medium separation (DMS) processing plant, but also secures offtake for the first 150 000 t of lithium concentrate produced from the project,” the company said in a statement published on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe Lithium has appointed Green Resources Company to undertake an environmental-impact assessment on the project. 

The company and a local Zimbabwean engineering firm MEPP aim to complete all aspects of the engineering DMS plant design criteria with MinMet – which oversaw the testwork along with Mintek, leading into the importation, erection and construction of the Phase 1 plant during the second and third quarters of the year.

Additionally, during the first quarter Zimbabwe Lithium will start the refurbishment of existing buildings, the preparation of the plant and associated buildings and recondition the electrical, water and sewerage infrastructure at the Kamativi site.