Story by Owen Mandovha
ANOTHER flagship lithium project is taking shape at Step Aside Mine in Goromonzi where extensive exploration is underway, further confirming the unprecedented economic development under the Second Republic.
The coming onboard of several huge mining projects by foreign investors remains the bedrock of the country’s mining sector under the Second Republic.
The latest project is exploration drilling currently taking place at Step Aside Mine in Goromonzi being carried out by Australian-based exploration and development company Prospect Resources.
The site is just eight kilometres from the Arcadia Lithium Mine which was successfully developed by the same company from 2018 until its takeover by Chinese commodities giant Hayou Cobalt.
At Step Aside Mine, more than 1 600 meters of holes have been drilled up to this second phase of exploration.
“We have so far drilled over 11 sites at the 90-hectare Step Aside Mountain and the exploration progress is on proceeding very well. Our core shed now stores a lot of samples that we have so far extracted and we are looking forward to conducting tests as the process proceeds,” said Mr Enias Binala, a Geologist with Prospect Resources.
Prospect Resources Managing Director Sam Horsack paid tribute to the Government’s paradigm shift in supporting exploration which has so far seen several lithium projects coming on board.
“The Government’s support has been huge in making sure that a project of this magnitude is done successfully. We were given national project status to undertake the project,” he said.
Zimbabwe is becoming a significant player in the growing global lithium industry, an unforeseen prospect just a few years back.
The country is witnessing an influx of foreign investors in the industry due to varying reforms pursued by the government as it targets a US$12 billion mining industry by the end of this year.