The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has entered the country’s fast-growing lithium export value chain after successfully transporting its first 1 000-tonne consignment of lithium concentrate from Gwanda Lithium Mine to the Port of Maputo in Mozambique.
The inaugural shipment marks a major milestone for the state-owned railway operator as it seeks to rebuild freight volumes, boost revenue and cement rail’s role in Zimbabwe’s mining export logistics.
Under the arrangement, the Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (BBR) hauls the lithium concentrate about 180 kilometres from Gwanda Lithium Mine to Beitbridge, where NRZ takes over for the more than 300-kilometre journey to Chicualacuala before the cargo proceeds to the Port of Maputo.
The deal gives NRZ a foothold in Zimbabwe’s booming lithium industry, one of the country’s fastest-growing mineral export sectors, driven by rising global demand for battery minerals used in electric vehicles and energy storage.
“The lithium industry is growing rapidly and rail has a critical role to play in ensuring exports reach international markets efficiently. This partnership opens new opportunities for NRZ to increase freight volumes while supporting Zimbabwe’s mining sector,” an NRZ official said.
The contract is expected to increase freight traffic on the national rail network while advancing Government efforts to move mineral exports through more efficient and cost-effective transport systems.
The development also forms part of NRZ’s strategy to revive its freight business by attracting high-volume cargo from the mining, agriculture and manufacturing sectors, where rail offers a cheaper and more sustainable alternative to road transport.
Silvergill, which is coordinating the movement of the lithium concentrate from mine to export terminal, said the project underscored the value of integrated logistics.
“Efficient logistics are essential to the competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s mineral exports. The successful launch of this corridor demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration between rail operators, logistics companies and mining firms,” the company said.
The successful inaugural shipment is expected to open further opportunities for NRZ as investment in Zimbabwe’s lithium sector continues to gather pace.
