Over the past three years, Southern Africa has seen a surge in hard-rock pegmatite lithium mining activity, with Zimbabwe leading the regional charge, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Namibia, and South Africa, according to consultancy firm AmaranthCX.
Pegmatites, igneous rocks akin to granite, are not only rich in quartz, feldspar, and mica but also host valuable minerals like tantalite, cassiterite, and lithium-bearing minerals such as spodumene, lepidolite, and petalite.
Zimbabwe has emerged as a focal point, with significant investments in lithium projects like Arcadia, Glencova, and Zulu.
Meanwhile, in the DRC, disputes surround the Monono deposit, while Namibia witnesses a resurgence in Uis tin mine operations and South Africa explores smaller-scale spodumene mines.
Despite price fluctuations, the global lithium sector is experiencing a surge driven by battery demand, with Southern Africa poised to play a crucial role in the industry’s growth.
