Zimbabwe’s state-owned lithium miner Mutapa Energy Resources has secured $300 million from a consortium that includes Chinese entities to expand its operations in the southern African nation.

The financing is earmarked for building a lithium processing plant, upgrading existing extraction sites, and establishing a supply chain that meets international battery standards. Experts anticipate the project could begin production by 2025, with full capacity by 2027. The deal also signals confidence in Zimbabwe’s political stability and regulatory framework, which has been bolstered by recent mining reforms.

However, environmental groups warn that lithium extraction can strain local water resources, urging the company to adopt best‑practice protocols.