Zimbabwe is taking a major step in mineral value addition by launching large-scale lithium processing plants that will begin producing battery-grade lithium sulphate in January 2026. This development positions the country as a key player in the global battery and electric-vehicle supply chain.
The flagship project is led by Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, owned by Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, which is investing US$400 million in a new lithium sulphate processing plant in Goromonzi. The plant will operate three production lines, with the first starting in January 2026 and the remaining two in April 2026. Once fully operational, the facility will produce 80,000 metric tons of lithium sulphate per year.
This project supports Zimbabwe’s national strategy to move from exporting raw lithium ore to processing high-value battery materials locally. The government has introduced a policy to ban the export of raw lithium concentrate by 2027, encouraging companies to beneficiate lithium within the country.
By producing battery-grade lithium sulphate, Zimbabwe is strengthening its position in the global green-energy market, creating jobs, attracting foreign investment, and laying the foundation for future battery-cell manufacturing.