Gwanda Lithium
GwandaLith
The site of the Gwanda Lithium Project was originally an abandoned tin mine. In 2021, substantial spodumene lithium deposits were discovered at the location, prompting renewed interest in the mine's potential. This discovery led to the transformation of the site into a lithium mining operation. The project officially commenced operations in 2022.
Zimbabwe
Matebeleland South
2022
Annual Production
| Year | Status | Bauxite | Copper | Cobalt | Lithium | Tantalum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | operational | - | - | - | - | - |
Mining Details
Gwanda Lithium Project is situated in the Mandihongola area of Matabeleland South Province, approximately 15 km northwest of Kafusi Growth Point, within the Gwanda District. The project is operated by Dinson Mining Investments, a subsidiary of the Chinese conglomerate Tsingshan Holdings Group.
Ownership
Deposit Size
-
ND
Project Impacts
Environmental Impacts
Community report water, air pollution
ongoingMeaning: Community leaders reported contaminated water and air pollution.
Community leaders from Ward 11 in the Mandihongola area of Gwanda have raised concerns about the operations of the Gwanda Lithium Mine, which they say have contaminated their water sources and contributed to air pollution.
Noise, dust and water pollution reported
ongoingMeaning: Dust and noise pollution from heavy truck traffic, deep drilling pollutes water sources.
Impacts include dust and noise pollution from heavy truck traffic, as well as the depletion of water sources resulting from deep borehole drilling.
Social Impacts
EIA neglects on-site grave management
ongoingMeaning: The EIA failed to address the matter of graves located with the mine site.
In a letter from the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), the company was instructed to undertake consultations with custodians of graves within the mine site. This was after the environmental impact assessment (EIA) done by the company had been submitted for approval to EMA, without information on how the graves would be dealt with. Failure to provide sufficient information and failure to consult the custodians of the graves could result in conflicts once mining operations commence.
Project Impacts
Environmental Impacts
| Name | Meaning | Year | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community report water, air pollution | Community leaders reported contaminated water and air pollution. | 2025 | ongoing | Community leaders from Ward 11 in the Mandihongola area of Gwanda have raised concerns about the operations of the Gwanda Lithium Mine, which they say have contaminated their water sources and contributed to air pollution. |
| Noise, dust and water pollution reported | Dust and noise pollution from heavy truck traffic, deep drilling pollutes water sources. | 2024 | ongoing | Impacts include dust and noise pollution from heavy truck traffic, as well as the depletion of water sources resulting from deep borehole drilling. |
Social Impacts
| Name | Meaning | Year | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EIA neglects on-site grave management | The EIA failed to address the matter of graves located with the mine site. | 2025 | ongoing | In a letter from the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), the company was instructed to undertake consultations with custodians of graves within the mine site. This was after the environmental impact assessment (EIA) done by the company had been submitted for approval to EMA, without information on how the graves would be dealt with. Failure to provide sufficient information and failure to consult the custodians of the graves could result in conflicts once mining operations commence. |
Related Reports1
Related News2
Stuck between lithium rocks and a hard place
Zimbabwean communities living around lithium mines have to put up with noise pollution, gas emissions, dust, flying-rock hazards and ground vibrations.
Gwanda villagers cry foul: Mine polluting water, ruining lives
Community leaders from Ward 11 in the Mandihongola area of Gwanda have raised concerns about the operations of the Gwanda Lithium Mine, which they say have contaminated their water sources and contributed to air pollution.