China's Huayou plans lithium carbonate plant in Zimbabwe

Mines Minister Polite Kambamura announced that China's Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Ltd. plans to build a lithium carbonate plant in Zimbabwe. The government is pushing Chinese investors to process lithium locally, adding value to the battery metal supply chain. This move could boost Zimbabwe's industrial base and reduce reliance on raw material exports. However, it also raises concerns about environmental impact and resource control.