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Unpopular facts thread on lithium: First, about Bikita, then Zim lithium in general.
1. Bikita does NOT export âlithiumâ, and certainly not 500 tons/day. Facts below: https://twitter.com/fmaguwu/status/1525380513896226816
2. There are 2 âtypes of lithiumâ:
Bikita exports petalite. Used in ceramics (tiles, glass, kitchenware). The petalite Bikita exports is fully beneficiated; added AS IS in manufacturing.Â
The company does not yet mine spodumene, which bears the lithium used for batteries
Bikita exports petalite. Used in ceramics (tiles, glass, kitchenware). The petalite Bikita exports is fully beneficiated; added AS IS in manufacturing.Â
The company does not yet mine spodumene, which bears the lithium used for batteries
3. Now, what about âChineseâ takeover?
Bikita been mining for 50+ years. Who owns it?
74% held by African Metals Management Services & Southern African Metals and Minerals (owned by German investor Wilfried Pabst). Other shareholders are Bishop Mutendi & Dzikamai Mavhaire
Bikita been mining for 50+ years. Who owns it?
74% held by African Metals Management Services & Southern African Metals and Minerals (owned by German investor Wilfried Pabst). Other shareholders are Bishop Mutendi & Dzikamai Mavhaire
4. Sinomine in Feb announced it wanted to buy Bikita for $180m. They had a disclaimer on need to expand exploration; only potential for âspodumeneâ there. Deal not yet done, so Sinomine hasnât âhit the ground runningâ
Details here https://newzwire.live/chinas-sinomine-joins-queue-of-lithium-buyers-with-us180m-deal-for-bikita-minerals
Details here https://newzwire.live/chinas-sinomine-joins-queue-of-lithium-buyers-with-us180m-deal-for-bikita-minerals
5. Now, about Zim lithium in general. Thereâs been a lot of interest in Zimâs lithium potential. Hereâs a list of deals over the past half year alone. Chinese and UK firms mostly https://newzwire.live/chinas-sinomine-joins-queue-of-lithium-buyers-with-us180m-deal-for-bikita-minerals
6. Now, âwhy donât we just make batteries hereâ
Sorry. Not gonna happen.
Battery makers want to be near their markets, places with high EV demand, and with raw materials available.
See here why Chile, worldâs biggest lithium miner, has no factory https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chile-lithium-focus-idUSKCN1UC0C8
Sorry. Not gonna happen.
Battery makers want to be near their markets, places with high EV demand, and with raw materials available.
See here why Chile, worldâs biggest lithium miner, has no factory https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chile-lithium-focus-idUSKCN1UC0C8
7. As for China? It has 80% of global Li-ion manufacturing.
Since 2018, Chinese companies bought over $6bn worth of lithium mining projects globally. In 2021, Oct, Chinese firms had bought 6.4m tons of Li resources. Almost matches 6.8 Mt bought by ALL, the other companies in 2020
Since 2018, Chinese companies bought over $6bn worth of lithium mining projects globally. In 2021, Oct, Chinese firms had bought 6.4m tons of Li resources. Almost matches 6.8 Mt bought by ALL, the other companies in 2020
8. So, reality check: any new investor in a lithium mine today ANYWHERE is most likely Chinese. Spread that fact on toast and swallow it.
Biggest Zim deal so far: Huayouâs buying Arcadia for $422m. Arcadia was owned by Australia-listed Prospect.
Details https://newzwire.live/analysis-chinese-battery-giant-is-buying-zimbabwes-arcadia-lithium-mine-for-us422m-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
Biggest Zim deal so far: Huayouâs buying Arcadia for $422m. Arcadia was owned by Australia-listed Prospect.
Details https://newzwire.live/analysis-chinese-battery-giant-is-buying-zimbabwes-arcadia-lithium-mine-for-us422m-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
9. We could say âhatidi ne lithium yedu unless itâs as batteriesâ. Fair. Reality is Zim lithium is mined from hard rock. In Chile etc, itâs found in brine (salt plains). Cheaper to mine. Wonât always be scarce. So we need a balance; a policy that maximises our earnings
10. Problems on Zim lithium:
1. Govt has NO lithium policy yet to govern sector. ZanuPFâs inept, unpatriotic resource stewardship feeds âlootingâ
2. Blaming private investors selling to each other.
2. Belief that we can make lithium batteries. Just plain faith, zero facts
1. Govt has NO lithium policy yet to govern sector. ZanuPFâs inept, unpatriotic resource stewardship feeds âlootingâ
2. Blaming private investors selling to each other.
2. Belief that we can make lithium batteries. Just plain faith, zero facts
11. Not an expert, just going on current info and talking to those in the know: best is to push for local production of battery-grade lithium carbonate while demand remains. Prospect already produced samples of this.
Happy to learn from experts
Happy to learn from experts
Since Nov 2021, Zim has seen a rush of lithium transactions, with total values of around US$700m.
Definitely something we need to track.
A list here: https://newzwire.live/taking-stock-zimbabwes-us700m-lithium-deals/
Definitely something we need to track.
A list here: https://newzwire.live/taking-stock-zimbabwes-us700m-lithium-deals/
