Arcadia Lithium Project
PLZ
In December 2021, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt agreed to acquire a 100% stake in the Arcadia Lithium Project. The company purchased an 87% stake from Prospect Resources Limited (Australia) for approximately US$377.8 million, acquired a 6% stake from Professor Kingston Kajese and a 7% stake from the Tamari Trust. The total acquisition cost amounted to US$422 million, and the transaction was finalized in April 2022.
Zimbabwe
Mashonaland East
2021
Annual Production
| Year | Status | Bauxite | Copper | Cobalt | Lithium | Tantalum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | operational | - | - | - | 500,000 | - |
Mining Details
The Arcadia Lithium Project is situated approximately 38 km east of Harare in Zimbabwe's Mashonaland East Province. The operation is planned as a 2.4 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) mining and processing facility, producing both spodumene and petalite concentrates.
Ownership
Deposit Size
42.3 million tonnes
1.19%Li₂O
As of October 2021, reserves were estimated to be 42.3 million tonnes, grading 1.19% lithium oxide (Li₂O) and 121 ppm tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅)
Project Impacts
Environmental Impacts
Inadequate containment poses risk to environment
ongoingMeaning: Poor quality tailings dam construction has resulted in water pollution, toxic spills.
PLZ has been accused by communities of polluting water. The pollution is attributed to the poor construction of tailings dams. Since the dams’ linings failure to meet the required standards, there have been incidents of leakages and spills of toxic substances into the surrounding environment. Over time, contamination of nearby water sources poses risks to both human, livestock and local wildlife, endangering the ecosystem.
Social Impacts
Community livelihoods impacted
ongoingMeaning: Community livelihoods impacted
Community livelihoods have been impacted, especially those who lost their farming and grazing land when the mine expanded. The community has also lost access to water from the community dam as a consequence of the company using the same dam to pump water for its operations.
Project Impacts
Environmental Impacts
| Name | Meaning | Year | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inadequate containment poses risk to environment | Poor quality tailings dam construction has resulted in water pollution, toxic spills. | 2023 | ongoing | PLZ has been accused by communities of polluting water. The pollution is attributed to the poor construction of tailings dams. Since the dams’ linings failure to meet the required standards, there have been incidents of leakages and spills of toxic substances into the surrounding environment. Over time, contamination of nearby water sources poses risks to both human, livestock and local wildlife, endangering the ecosystem. |
Social Impacts
| Name | Meaning | Year | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community livelihoods impacted | Community livelihoods impacted | 2023 | ongoing | Community livelihoods have been impacted, especially those who lost their farming and grazing land when the mine expanded. The community has also lost access to water from the community dam as a consequence of the company using the same dam to pump water for its operations. |
Related Reports2
Mining Project Performance Report
MINING PROJECT PERFORMANCE REPORT- Case of Sabi Star Lithium Project by Max Minds Investments in Buhera
Emerging Human Rights Implication of Transactional Minerals Extraction and Processing
Case Studies from Republic of Congo Mozambique & Zimbabwe
This book explores the dynamics of critical mineral extraction in Southern Africa, with case studies from the DRC, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. While rich in resources and attracting global investment, these countries face challenges in sustainability and equitable benefit sharing. Through research and collaboration, the book examines business and human rights issues, highlighting successes and failures, and offers actionable solutions for a fairer, more sustainable future in mineral resource management.
