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Zimbabwe Rail Hauls Lithium to Mozambique
21 Jul
Summary
- Zimbabwe's state railway now transports lithium via rail to Maputo port.
- This new rail route offers a less expensive alternative to trucking.
- The first shipment involved 1,000 metric tons of lithium concentrate.
Zimbabwe's National Railways (NRZ) has established a new rail logistics solution for exporting lithium concentrate to Maputo port in Mozambique. This initiative partners the state-owned NRZ with private firms, Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway and Silvergill, to haul the battery mineral.
The new service provides a more economical alternative to road transport, which has historically faced logistical challenges. The first consignment successfully transported 1,000 metric tons of lithium concentrate from Tsingshan Holding Group's Gwanda Lithium Mine to the Mozambican port. This journey covers approximately 1,000 km, utilizing BBR's track for the initial stretch and then the NRZ's Limpopo line.
Facing years of under-investment, the NRZ is actively seeking private collaborations to increase freight volumes. Most of Zimbabwe's lithium mines are situated along a rail corridor leading to Mozambique, facilitating exports primarily to China. The country's lithium sector is dominated by Chinese investments, with producers anticipating significant growth in processed lithium sulphate exports by 2030.
