HARARE – Kuvimba Mining House CEO Trevor Barnard says construction of Sandawana’s long-awaited lithium processing plant, a key project expected to unlock and sustain major community development commitments, is now edging closer, with all partner agreements signed and only cabinet approval outstanding.
Addressing Mberengwa’s traditional leaders during a stakeholder feedback meeting attended by all chiefs on Wednesday, Barnard said the processing plant will mark a turning point for both production and delivery of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitments.
The initial phase of the project will create more than 2,000 local jobs, he said.
“It has taken longer than we wanted, unfortunately we were delayed by various issues. Some of the delays related to the low lithium price at the time, and others to negotiations with our partners,” he said.
Barnard said Kuvimba hopes to begin construction “within the next four to six months,” with commissioning expected “in the first to second quarter of 2027.”
He assured the chiefs that once physical construction begins, fulfilment of CSR obligations will accelerate.
“Let me assure you that we remain committed to honouring the specific commitments we made, and we will ensure they are implemented over time,” he said. “Once construction begins, the rest will follow.”
Sandawana Mine general manager Godwin Gambiza said that although long-term commitments await the plant’s rollout, the mine has continued investing in essential community projects, spending US$475,000 so far in 2025.
He said the wider delays had not halted ongoing works. Road rehabilitation remained the biggest undertaking, with the 60km gravel stretch to the Beitbridge highway now “almost 75 percent complete,” after consuming “close to $400,000.”
Gambiza also cited the drilling of three solar-powered boreholes “to depths of 100 metres,” and repairs to a storm-damaged school block whose roof has already been restored.
“We will continue working on the remaining items such as painting the school, replacing doors and door frames, improving water provision, and tiling, among others,” he said.
Gambiza added that Sandawana is mobilising equipment to begin upgrading the 53km York–Sandawana road “in fulfilment of commitments made at the stakeholder meeting on September 24.”
He said production remained strong, with lithium concentrate output “close to target at 88,000 metric tons against a budget of 91,000 metric tons,” and described Sandawana’s ore as “arguably the best quality within Zimbabwe.”
Gambiza also urged chiefs to guard against misinformation: “I urge you all to guard against malicious social media reports that seek to derail the social cohesion we enjoy.”
He said Sandawana Mine “remains committed to the virtues of a good corporate citizen.”
