HARARE, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Bikita Minerals, the local unit of China's Sinomine Resource Group, announced Thursday that it has resumed lithium concentrate exports after securing an export license from Zimbabwe's Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
"This marks a milestone in our commitment to responsible mining, transparency and value addition," the company said via social media.
As part of its long-term beneficiation strategy, the firm is advancing plans for a 400-million-U.S. dollar lithium sulfate processing plant in Zimbabwe. The project aims to meet the 2027 deadline for ending unprocessed lithium exports, with preliminary works already underway.
The Chinese-invested firm reaffirmed its commitment to responsible mining, employee welfare, environmental stewardship and sustainable economic development.
The export resumption followed the Zimbabwean government's suspension of raw mineral and lithium concentrate exports in February to promote local value addition and maximize value retention.
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has confirmed granting export quotas to six major lithium producers in the country. The quotas will be reviewed next year based on the companies' progress in establishing acceptable beneficiation capacity.
