Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) is investing more than US$25 million in the development of a 36-megawatt solar power plant at its lithium mining operations in Hwange, in a major step towards energy self-sufficiency and sustainable mining.
The project is expected to be completed before the end of the year, with initial projections targeting commissioning as early as September. Once operational, the solar facility will generate clean energy to power mining activities while also contributing to surrounding communities.
KMC General Manager, Jack Ye, said the initiative is part of the company’s response to the government’s call for mining firms to produce their own electricity and reduce pressure on the national grid.
He said the project aligns with the global shift towards clean energy, particularly as lithium remains a critical mineral in the transition to renewable technologies.
“We hope to complete it by the end of September. The plant will produce about 36 megawatts of green energy, which benefits both the project and surrounding communities,” said Ye.
He added that the investment reflects the company’s dual commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency, noting that clean energy use is becoming central to modern mining operations.
Special Advisor to the President on Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes and Projects, Dr Joram Gumbo, welcomed the development, saying it demonstrates how the mining sector can directly contribute to national development and local empowerment.
He said wider adoption of similar projects across the industry would significantly reduce pressure on Zimbabwe’s national electricity grid while improving energy security in mining communities.
Government has consistently encouraged private sector participation in infrastructure development as part of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which prioritises energy security, industrial productivity and economic transformation.
The Kamativi project is therefore seen as aligning with national efforts to build a resilient infrastructure base that supports economic growth, value addition and beneficiation across key sectors.
As Zimbabwe strengthens its position in the global lithium market, investments in renewable energy such as this are expected to enhance competitiveness while advancing the country’s transition toward a greener and more diversified energy mix.
