Latest Development
Sinomine Resource Group, which acquired Zimbabwe’s Bikita mine for $180m in 2022 and completed a $200-300m spodumene/petalite plant expansion in 2023, secured roughly $500m in funding for a phased lithium sulphate plant. Phase one (60,000 t/yr) targets Q2 2027 commissioning, with phase two (a further 65,000 t/yr) due by early 2028, taking total sulphate capacity to 125,000 t/yr — described by Sinomine’s chairman as the largest planned lithium salt plant in Africa. Sinomine is separately raising up to $764m via a China private placement to fund this plant alongside a Zambian copper project.
Project Details
Project TypeMine & Processing Plant (Lithium Sulphate)
Project OwnerBikita Minerals (subsidiary of Sinomine Resource Group)
Project SponsorSinomine Resource Group Co., Ltd.
Project DeveloperSinomine Resource Group
Financing InstitutionSinomine Resource Group (corporate financing, incl. planned CNY 5.2bn / ~$764m private placement)
Start Date2022
Expected Completion2027-Q2
Current PhaseConstruction
Funding StatusSecured
Key Issues / Risks
Timeline (Q2 2027) sits after Zimbabwe's Jan 2027 full concentrate export ban deadline, though the company says it is not waiting for the deadline and site works are already underway ("steel going into the ground")
Latest Development (Detail)
Sinomine chairman confirmed to President Mnangagwa in July 2026 that the company is 'going all out' to complete the plant, with preliminary and site works underway
What Happens Next
Watch Phase 1 commissioning (targeted Q2 2027) and Phase 2 completion (targeted early 2028)
Commercial Opportunity
EPC and construction contracts, reagent/chemical supply, offtake for sulphate output
Stakeholder Intelligence
Key Organizations / Companies InvolvedSinomine Resource Group; Bikita Minerals; Government of Zimbabwe
Capital & Financing Intelligence
Funding / Amount CommittedUSD 500000000
Funding SourceSinomine corporate financing; planned ~$764m China private placement (covers this plant plus a Zambian copper project)
Funding Date2026-05
Procurement & Contract Outlook
Procurement / Contract OpportunityPlant construction/EPC ongoing; specific contractor not disclosed in available sources
Expected Next MilestoneBikita Minerals secured ~$500m funding for the sulphate plant (2026-07)
Commercial Opportunity Intelligence
Financing / Capital Opportunity~$500m secured; part of a broader ~$764m Sinomine capital raise
Potential BeneficiariesSinomine Resource Group, Zimbabwean state, local employment in Masvingo province
Opportunity SignalStrong -- directly linked to the Zimbabwe lithium concentrate export ban policy record
Commercial ReadinessUnder construction
Source & Verification Trail
Last Verified2026-08-10
Source(s)https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/bikita-minerals-secures-us500m-for-lithium-sulphate-plant/; https://miningzimbabwe.com/bikita-minerals-to-commission-zimbabwes-biggest-lithium-sulphate-plant-this-year/; https://www.mining.com/web/sinomine-seeks-760-million-for-african-lithium-copper-projects/
Source Date2026-05-19 to 2026-07-07