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Victor Maphosa-Mashonaland East Bureau

Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe is spending US$1,5 million towards rehabilitation of a pair of roads in Goromonzi that serve its mine, but fixing the same roads will also boost other economic and social activities.

Besides rehabilitating gravel roads and bridges which lead to Arcadia Lithium Mine from the main business centre, Prospect Lithium is repairing the 12km tarred road which links Majuru business centre and the Harare-Mutare highway through Ruwa.

Arcadia Lithium Mine is undergoing development worth US$300 million after Chinese giant Huayou Cobalt bought it from Australian investors for US$422 million.

Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe’s deputy general manager Mr Trevor Barnard said the company was carrying out the road works after realising challenges faced by locals especially during rainy seasons.

“We are constructing one bridge while rehabilitating several crossings,” said Mr Bernard. 

“The community has been facing challenges during the rainy season as the roads are steep and bridges flood. Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe is therefore rehabilitating the bridges and upgrading the water pipes for easy drainage.

“The road is being repaired and upgraded to comply with Ministry of Transport specifications. 

“It is a gravel road with a wearing course to allow for increased traffic to the mine. We have three parts with the first part being repaired by us which is 7km from Arcadia mine. 

“The second part is also gravel which is 6,4km to Goromonzi. 

“The third stretch is the repairing the 12km tar road from Goromonzi to Ruwa, the project includes 1,5km widening of each shoulder on both sides, smoothing the road, laying gravel not less than 20cm, clearing and widening culverts, repairing both sides of the road drainage ditch to ensure that rainwater does not enter the road.”

The works are a boon for local contractors and job seekers. 

Said Barnard: “Local contractors have been contracted to do the job and close to US$1,5 million has been injected into this project.” 

He said the local communities have welcomed the project and are excited about it, which is also contributing to national infrastructural development.

“The local community has welcomed the development and are very excited as they have been facing road access challenges during rainy seasons especially when crossing the bridge at Kubatsirana clinic. All users of the road will benefit from the rehabilitation of the road including surrounding farmers to bring their products to markets, residents to travel and businesses for improved access.

“As Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe we are happy to contribute to the Government of Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy pillar on infrastructure and utilities where road infrastructure delivery is a key in the realisation of national priorities and overall socio-economic development.”

The company is currently building school blocks and state-of-the-art staff quarters at the nearby Vhuta Primary while it will soon hand over donations of desks and books to several schools in the district.