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Zimbabwe’s lithium production is set for a boost following revelations that regional mining firm Premier African Minerals is engaging potential partners for a lithium exploration project in the country. According to the Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe, the country currently holds the world’s largest known deposit of lithium at Bikita Minerals.The resource is estimated at over 11 million tonnes, but Zimbabwe is currently the fifth largest producer of the mineral.

However the entrance of Premier African Minerals into lithium exploration could boost the country’s output.

Premier chief executive officer Mr George Roach said the talks were still at a preliminary stage.

“Premier is in preliminary discussions with parties interested in participating in lithium resource development in Zimbabwe.

“I will update the market in due course,” said Mr Roach.

The regional-focused mining firm is currently developing a portfolio of strategic metals and agri mineral projects located across Africa, with its flagship mine the being RHA Tungsten Mine in Zimbabwe.

According to the US Geological Survey, Zimbabwe was the world’s fifth top lithium-producing country in 2015.

The country produced 900 metric tonnes (MT) of lithium last year, and at that rate the country’s lithium output held steady from 2014.

Bikita Minerals controls nearly all of the country’s lithium mining, and announced expansion plans in 2014. At its peak production at peak is about 50 000 tpa LiO2.

Comparatively, the world’s top lithium producer – according to the US Geological Survey – is Australia with a mine production of 13 400MT.

Chile and Argentina are the second and third largest producers of lithium with annual mine production of 12 900MT and 3 800MT, respectively.

And China is the fourth largest producer of lithium with an annual mine production of 2 200 MT

Meanwhile, earlier in May another regional-focused mining firm – Prospect Resources Ltd – announced that it had secured diamond drilling services to drill 30x 50 metre holes on its recently acquired Arcadia Lithium Project in Zimbabwe.

The project hosts the Arcadia Lithium Deposit, which is a historically producing mine and has an initial exploration target of 15-18 million tonnes at 3-5 percent lithium. Exploration at Arcadia is ongoing and the diamond drilling was pencilled to commence this month.

The company said it was reviewing more lithium opportunities in Zimbabwe and in neighbouring countries. — BH24