Work on the construction of the 120 km long Tokwe to Bikita powerline began recently, at an investment of US$22 million, from Chinese-owned company Sinomine Bikita Minerals, which has operations in the Bikita District. The Chinese investors revived the mine after taking over from previous owners in a new management deal.
The miner owns two lithium beneficiation plants at the site, an answer to the government’s call for the beneficiation and value addition to locally produced minerals. Beneficiation enables revenue generation, growth and expansion of the mining sector and the creation of local jobs.
The mine is expected to produce in excess of 132KVA on completion. It will provide electricity to the lithium plants at a cost of about US$300million. The plants will be used for the beneficiation process of spodumene and petalite minerals. Commissioning of the powerline was scheduled for July this year.
Areas along the powerline’s route in districts such as Bikita, Chivi, Gutu and Zaka in Masvingo Province will benefit from the completion of the powerline.
Beneficiaries will include local communities and businesses through a US$2 million electrification programme by Sinomine Bikita Minerals.
Revenue from Sinomine Bikita Minerals is expected to hit the US$1 billion mark by 2024.
Text by Martin Chemhere