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Chinese mining giant Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt is preparing to commence lithium sulphate production at its newly built USD 400 million processing plant located at the Arcadia Mine near Harare, Zimbabwe. The facility is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2026, marking a major milestone in Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to promote local mineral beneficiation and industrialization.
This development aligns with the Zimbabwean government’s strategy to boost domestic mineral value addition, attract foreign investment, and generate employment opportunities through in-country processing of raw materials. As part of this policy, Zimbabwe has announced plans to prohibit the export of unprocessed lithium concentrate by 2027, compelling mining companies to refine minerals locally before export.
According to Henry Zhu, General Manager of Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe—a wholly owned subsidiary of Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt—the new plant’s annual lithium sulphate output is projected to exceed 60,000 metric tons, although the exact capacity will depend on the final technical configuration of the facility.
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Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt began producing lithium concentrate at the Arcadia Mine in July 2023 and has since emerged as one of Zimbabwe’s key players in the lithium sector. In 2024, the company exported approximately 400,000 tons of lithium concentrate, underscoring its growing role in meeting global demand for battery minerals critical to the electric vehicle industry.
