Permanent Secretary for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Addmore Pazvakavambwa talks about the lithium and the great potential it holds for the province’s development. The most senior public servant in Masvingo province is convinced that more could be done to uplift local communities using the natural resources particularly lithium which is mined by Bikita Minerals. He calls for better management of the mineral resource, highlighting that the ultimate goal is not to simply extract the resource and export it raw, but to produce lithium-ion batteries locally. This would yield more jobs and greater Corporate Social responsibility for provincial GDP growth. Bikita Minerals is the oldest lithium mine in the country, but its operations have drawn a lot of controversy and resentment among many members of the host community who protest apparent marginalisation, environmental degradation, pollution and displacement.
