Zimbabwe Makes History with Pollucite Production at Bikita Minerals

Masvingo, Zimbabwe – Sinomine Bikita Minerals, Zimbabwe’s premier lithium producer, has commenced commercial production of pollucite, a highly sought-after mineral rich in cesium.

This groundbreaking move marks a significant first for Zimbabwe and potentially the entire African continent, as the nation steps into the exclusive league of global pollucite producers.

The Chinese-owned mining giant has successfully commissioned a state-of-the-art pollucite processing plant at its Bikita site in Masvingo Province. The facility is projected to churn out between 150 and 300 tonnes of pollucite monthly, with the mineral currently commanding an impressive US$2,500 per tonne on the international market.

This strategic development is a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe’s mineral beneficiation agenda, solidifying Masvingo’s emerging role as a key hub for critical mineral extraction and value addition. It follows Sinomine’s substantial US$300 million investment in 2023, which saw the commissioning of spodumene and petalite processing plants, all aimed at bolstering lithium battery production.

Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, expressed immense optimism during his tour of the new facility. “We are thrilled to witness the operations at the pollucite processing plant,” he stated. “The discovery of pollucite, a new mineral at the mine, is a tremendous boon for the national economy, being the first of its kind in Zimbabwe and indeed, the whole of Africa.”

Minister Chadzamira highlighted the diverse applications of cesium, the element contained within pollucite, noting its crucial role in the manufacture of explosives and the petroleum extraction industry. He further emphasized the mineral’s rarity and high market value, underscoring its significant contribution to the national economy.

The launch of pollucite production coincides with another major undertaking by Sinomine Bikita Minerals: the construction of a US$500 million lithium sulphate plant. This ambitious project is a critical step towards local lithium beneficiation, aligning with the Zimbabwean government’s directive to cease the export of raw lithium by January 2027.

“The construction of the lithium sulphate plant has begun at Bikita Minerals, representing an investment of over US$500 million,” Minister Chadzamira added. “This will not only create more jobs but also bring the mining firm closer to producing beneficiated lithium.”

Beyond its industrial ventures, Sinomine is also actively engaged in community development, with the construction of over 250 staff houses at its Bikita site. This initiative is part of the company’s broader corporate social responsibility program, aimed at improving local living standards and fostering harmonious coexistence between mining operations and community welfare.

Minister Chadzamira also stressed the importance of refining mining taxation laws to continue attracting foreign direct investment. He cited Sinomine’s substantial presence in Zimbabwe as a testament to the country’s economic stability and sound policy direction.

Globally, pollucite is an exceptionally rare mineral with only a handful of commercial producers. The most significant deposits are found in Bernic Lake, Canada, and Manitoba, where cesium is primarily extracted and refined by Sinomine Resource Group, the parent company of Sinomine Bikita Minerals. While smaller deposits have been reported in Australia and Namibia, commercial production remains limited. With the start of its pollucite operations, Zimbabwe now joins this exclusive group, strategically strengthening its position within the global critical minerals supply chain.