Processing plant feasibility
Engineering and financing study for converting concentrate locally.
KM
Kopje Minerals
Lithium mining and concentrate processing
- Harare
- Founded 2011
- 1,200+ people
Company overview
A lithium and tantalum producer moving from concentrate exports to local chemical processing.
Kopje Minerals operates an open-pit lithium mine and a dense media separation plant in Mashonaland East. It began as a tantalum explorer and pivoted to lithium as battery demand grew.
The company is now planning a processing plant that would convert spodumene concentrate into a higher-value lithium product before export. Management describes the plant as the most important decision in the company's history.
Leadership
-
TM
Tendai Moyo-Ncube Managing Director
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RC
Ruvimbo Chari Chief Financial Officer
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JM
Joseph Mandaza Head of Operations
Company milestones
- 2011 Founded as a tantalum exploration company.
- 2017 First lithium resource declared at the Kopje North deposit.
- 2021 Dense media separation plant commissioned.
- 2024 Expanded mine plan approved, extending mine life.
- 2026 Feasibility study begins on a local processing plant.
Projects & investments
Solar hybrid power
Captive solar plant to reduce diesel use at the mine.
Artisan training centre
Technical skills programme for young people from surrounding communities.
Innovation
Kopje runs one of the first ore-sorting trials in the region, using sensor technology to reject waste rock before it reaches the plant and cut energy use per tonne.
Social impact
The company funds a secondary school science block and a borehole programme, and gives preference to local suppliers for catering, transport and security.
Recent stories
Philanthropy
The quiet rise of corporate foundations
More companies are moving social spending into dedicated foundations with their own boards and strategies.