Lithium mine invests millions to uplift Goromonzi

PROSPECT LITHIUM ZIMBABWE (PLZ) has over the past two years spent more than US$2,5 million on various projects in communities around its mining operations in Goromonzi, Mashonaland Central province.

It is believed additional resources will further be allocated next year.

Speaking during a media tour of Goromonzi last week, PLZ assistant general manager Ms Rugare Dhobbie said a 2021 community needs assessment identified high unemployment, environmental degradation, lack of safe drinking water and high crime rate as some of the challenges faced by the communities.

The company spent nearly US$1 million in 2022, with an additional US$1,5 million allocated for this year’s projects.

Recent projects include construction of semi-detached staff quarters for teachers at Belmont Primary School, refurbishment of classroom blocks at Vhuta Primary School and construction of a new science block at Mwanza High School.

PLZ has also erected a perimeter fence at Mwanza Primary School and established a police base in Goromonzi. Further, a bridge is being constructed in the district, while major roads are being expanded.

Vhuta Primary School headmistress Ms Hillary Manyanga commended the transformative impact of projects being implemented by PLZ.

“When I first came to this school, there were just two classroom blocks that had no windows and floors, and children used to sit in the dust.

The school now looks modern, all because of PLZ,” she said.

The school has since increased its enrolment from 260 to 400 learners. Goromonzi district development coordinator Ms Prisca Dube said installation of solar-powered street lights by the lithium mining company at the Goromonzi Shopping Centre — stretching for more than a kilometre — has helped business operators extend working hours, whilst reducing incidents of crime.

“This will go a long way in curbing cases of crime and will allow for ease of movement at night, and businesses will operate seamlessly. There have been reports of muggings at night on that specific stretch but now the cases have dropped,” she said.

PLZ director in the general manager’s office Mr Yu Long said next year, the company will focus mainly on infrastructure development, agriculture, environmental protection, health and education.

“PLZ is also set to contribute in supporting the educational needs of underprivileged children, sponsoring sporting disciplines, supporting health and disability centres and training of farmers to enable them to enhance household livelihoods,” he said.

Owned by Chinese company Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, PLZ constructed the US$300 million lithium processing plant in Goromonzi, which was officially commissioned by President Mnangagwa in July. The plant is considered one of the biggest in the world.

So far, PLZ has created more than 3 000 jobs, with locals from Goromonzi being