HARARE – Chinese lithium miner, Bikita Minerals has announced it was suspending operations for a week to “address administrative concerns” reportedly raised by authorities at its plant.
In a statement, Bikita Minerals manager David Mwanza said the miner expects to resume operations once all the outstanding issues have been addressed.
He did not disclose more information on the nature of the said government concerns.
However, the suspension of its operations comes on the heels of a staff dispute over work conditions.
Recently, Masvingo police busted huge quantities of stolen lithium ore.
“This notice serves to inform our stakeholders and partners that we have put our operations on hold for 7 days to address administrative concerns raised by authorities at our plant,” read the statement by the miner.
“As a law-abiding corporate, we remain committed to fully comply with all requirements of the law and expect to resume operations once all the outstanding issues have been addressed.
“In the meantime, the company’s leadership is working closely with all relevant authorities to ensure that the matter is resolved within the stipulated time frame.”
Mwanza said the mining company has 860 employees on its books adding that the miner will meet its human resource obligations to them.
“During this 7-day period, all employees to stay at their homes and residences except for those in care and maintenance.
“Those on essential services will be required to perform their prescribed duties,” he said.
Sinomine bought Bikita Minerals last year in a US$180 million deal with African Metals Management Services and German investor Wilfried Pabst’s Southern African Metals and Minerals, the Mauritius-registered companies that held a combined 74% the mine.
After the acquisition, Sinomine immediately started building processing plants under a US$200 million investment that will treble production.
The spodumene and petalite plants are expected to be completed by July.
