Yu Long, ESG Director
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Huayou Cobalt continues to show confidence in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, following a US$400 million investment through its subsidiary Arcadia Technology Zimbabwe (ATZ), for the construction of the country’s and Africa’s first of its kind lithium sulphate plant.
The ATZ plant which is adjacent to another Huayou Cobalt subsidiary, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ) in Goromonzi, is currently under construction, with its completion set for the first quarter of 2026.
Speaking during a media tour of the plant and road projects on Thursday, Yu Long, Environmental, Social Governance (ESG) Director, said the construction was an evident response to government’s call to add value to lithium.
part of the ATZ plant
“Notably, the plant stands as the first of its kind in Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole, and the third globally.
“Huayou Cobalt has invested US$400 million to construct this plant and only cutting-edge technology in the industry has been implemented in the construction of this plant, which will produce 50,000tpa (tons of lithium sulphate per annum).
“In addition, Goromonzi District and the whole nation are set to benefit immensely through massive recruitment, as the plant is set to employ more than 1,000 people, drawn locally and beyond,” said Long.
He added: “the lithium sulphate plant is an evident response to government’s call to add value to lithium, aligning with the NDS1’s (National Development Strategy 1) goal of “Moving Economy up the value chain and structural transformation”.
“This is also a response to the government’s impending ban of lithium concentrate exports set for January 2027.
“The plant is an additional step of beneficiation in the lithium value chain and it will significantly strengthen Zimbabwe’s position in the lithium battery materials supply chain.”
Henry Zhu, ATZ’s Managing Director said the lithium sulphate plant is expected to be a game-changer for Zimbabwe, showcasing the plant’s crucial role in stimulating local economic growth, creating employment opportunities and significantly contributing to the country’s economic development.
“This investment is in line with the government’s vision to increase local value addition in the mining sector and achieve an upper-middle income economy by 2030.
“The lithium sulphate plant is a major investment in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, leveraging Goromonzi’s rich lithium resources to produce high-quality lithium sulphate.
“This product is a precursor to lithium carbonate, which is a component in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and other modern technologies.
“The lithium sulphate plant is a game-changer for our economy, not only has this plant created jobs and stimulated local economic activity, it also showcases Zimbabwe’s potential as a major player in the global lithium market,” said Zhu.
Mine Manager, Khonza Dube
Mine Manager Khonza Dube, added that the ATZ plant which is the first of its kind in Zimbabwe and Africa, will be processing concentrate from their concentrator plant.
He added that the lithium sulphate plant has two main sections, which are the Pyrometallurgy Section which uses high temperatures and the Hydrometallurgy Section which uses water to extract the lithium.
