"Business Insider Africa"Zimbabwe tops the 10 largest lithium producing regions in the world

Zimbabwe topped the most important leading African countries in lithium mining operations, the demand for which has increased as a result of global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and achieve net-zero goals as countries shift to cleaner energy sources.

The “Business Insider” platform reported Africa" Specialized in African affairs, Zimbabwe currently possesses the largest share of lithium deposits in Africa, and the country also produces the largest volume of lithium through three mines in the “Arcadia” areas. The first and "Pikita" II and "Zulu" seventh in the world, which makes the country among the 10 largest lithium producing regions in the world. 

Then comes the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has three lithium mining projects in the cities of “Manono” in the east of the country, and ranked third and fourth globally, in addition to the “Kangfeng” project. In ninth place, followed by South Africa, which has the “Belsburg” project. For mining in the center of the country, which is ranked fifth in the world in terms of production of the precious metal, then the state of Mali, which is responsible for the “Jolamina” project. For mining, it is ranked sixth in the world in terms of production, followed by Ghana in eighth place, which has the “Eweyah” project, and finally in 10th place is the lithium mining project in the town of “Karibib.” Western Namibia.

As for Nigeria, it has just entered the lithium market with the discovery of commercially viable deposits in 2018, unlike other African countries producing lithium..

Similar to Nigeria, many African countries are shifting from dependence on oil to alternative sources of income with an increasing focus on mineral mining. Global lithium supplies are dominated by Australia, Chile and China, together accounting for 90% of production in 2022. However, Africa has significant untapped potential in this sector with approximately 5% of the world’s lithium ore reserves.

According to the latest USGS release of lithium statistics, global lithium consumption in 2023 was estimated at 180,000 tons, a 27% increase from the consumption figure Revised 142,000 tons in 2022.

Known as “white gold,” lithium is a key material in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which power devices ranging from smartphones to electric vehicles.

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