Is Zimbabwe putting its money where its mouth is?

 There are many challenges in transitioning from raw material export to beneficiation.

 By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions

Zimbabwe’s lithium story is unusual in Africa. However, it is important not to overstate it. There are many hidden challenges that need solutions before we can start talking about successful beneficiation.

That said, Zimbabwe needs to be commended for moving from exporting raw spodumene concentrate to producing lithium sulfate within three years. It now plans to produce lithium carbonate as well.

From export to local beneficiation

The Zimbabwean government banned the export of raw lithium in 2022 to force local beneficiation.

Chinese operators invested billions in processing facilities in double quick time. Meanwhile, most other African mining jurisdictions are still exporting raw or semi-processed lithium.

Complex to move up value chain

But Zimbabwe has not yet reached the level of a fully integrated battery-materials hub. Most of the value addition stops at sulfate (and soon at carbonate) production, while battery cells and electric vehicle manufacturing still happens in China.

The industrial requirements behind moving up the lithium value chain are extremely complex.

Sulfuric acid supply a constraint

One of the biggest constraints is sulfuric acid supply. Lithium sulfate production depends on acid leaching. This means large volumes of sulfuric acid are required to convert spodumene concentrate into a soluble lithium compound.

Zimbabwe does not currently have sufficient domestic sulfuric acid to meet the demands of multiple large-scale lithium conversion plants.

Early-stage operations will most likely depend on imports from South Africa, Zambia, or ironically, from China.

This again creates a dependency, and ultimately sulfuric acid may become just as critical as the lithium itself.

Other requirements to make or break beneficiation

In addition to locally produced sulfuric acid there are other requirements that will make or break a transition to successful beneficiation.

Reliable and affordable electricity is arguably the most important one. Water availability is another, especially in water-stressed regions.

In addition, a steady supply of industrial reagents is essential, alongside robust and reliable logistics networks.

Road and rail infrastructure, in tandem with cross-border efficiency, will determine Zimbabwe’s cost competitiveness. Without efficient export routes, even successfully processed lithium sulfate will not compete globally.

Lithium beneficiation is a full-scale industrial transformation.

If Zimbabwe succeeds it will become a great African story.

Article by Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions and editor of the WhyAfrica magazine.

Image: Lithium is still mined and exported as concentrate in most African countries. Image credit: Leon Louw for WhyAfrica.   

Leon provides independent consulting services to investors, businesses and organizations seeking a deeper understanding of Africa’s political, economic and natural resource landscape.

Is Zimbabwe putting its money where its mouth is?