Kamativi Lithium
KMC
Before the discovery of lithium, the mine used to focus on tin ore but had closed in early 1990s due to decrease in the price of tin. However, in 2019 a new company called Kamativi Mining Company was formed to focus on lithium mining. The company started operations in 2019 as a joint venture operated and controlled by Sichuan PD Technology Group, a subsidiary of a Chinese listed entity, Yahua Group. The local joint venture partner is Kamativi Tin Mines (Private) Limited, wholly owned and controlled by a private company called Defold Mine (Private) Limited. Kamativi Mining Company is focused on lithium exploration, mining and processing within Kamativi.
Zimbabwe
Matebeleland North
2019
Annual Production
| Year | Status | Bauxite | Copper | Cobalt | Lithium | Tantalum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | planned | - | - | - | - | - |
Mining Details
The Kamativi Mine is located in Matabeleland North Province, within Hwange District, western Zimbabwe, near the small mining town of Kamativi. The mine is situated approximately 28 km off the Bulawayo to Victoria Falls Road, along the Binga Road.
Ownership
Deposit Size
24.22 million tonnes
Approximately 24.22 million tonnes.
Project Impacts
Environmental Impacts
Potential water pollution
ongoingMeaning: Community members and mine workers concerned about water quality as a result of mine infrastructure.
Community members and mine workers have raised concerns about the possibility of water pollution caused by KMC's operations. The company is located on top of a mountain overlooking a water body, sparking concerns about the discharge of human waste into the dam owing to the lack of proper sanitation facilities. Interviews with mine workers have further revealed that Chinese employees at KMC prefer to purchase bottled water rather than drinking water from the dam. These reports have created anxiety among community members and health officials at Kamativi Clinics, as they fear the potential spread of diseases like cholera and typhoid in the area.
Project Impacts
Environmental Impacts
| Name | Meaning | Year | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potential water pollution | Community members and mine workers concerned about water quality as a result of mine infrastructure. | 2024 | ongoing | Community members and mine workers have raised concerns about the possibility of water pollution caused by KMC's operations. The company is located on top of a mountain overlooking a water body, sparking concerns about the discharge of human waste into the dam owing to the lack of proper sanitation facilities. Interviews with mine workers have further revealed that Chinese employees at KMC prefer to purchase bottled water rather than drinking water from the dam. These reports have created anxiety among community members and health officials at Kamativi Clinics, as they fear the potential spread of diseases like cholera and typhoid in the area. |