The MiningWrap BriefNo. 12
China's Yahua starts building third lithium-sulfate plant in Zimbabwe
The week in African mining — 26 February 2026.
1MarketsChina's Yahua starts building third lithium-sulfate plant in ZimbabweSichuan Yahua Industrial Group began construction of a $200m lithium-sulfate plant at its Kamativi joint venture in Zimbabwe on 27 February 2026, the third such Chinese-built processing plant in the country.- 2LithiumYahua breaks ground on lithium sulphate plant at Zimbabwe's Kamativi mineSichuan Yahua Industrial Group has started building a lithium sulphate plant at Kamativi, its joint venture with the Zimbabwean state, days after Harare halted concentrate shipments with immediate effect.
3PGMNortham approves R500m first phase of Zondereinde expansionNortham approved R500m of initial capital to begin work on a fourth shaft at its Zondereinde mine, a project chief executive Paul Dunne called technically challenging enough to set a world record.
4M&AExxaro completes takeover of Ntsimbintle's manganese interests after Tribunal approvalExxaro Resources closed its acquisition of key manganese mining and marketing interests from Ntsimbintle Holdings and OM Holdings on 27 February 2026, after South Africa's Competition Tribunal approved the deal in December 2025.
5DiamondsRand strength piles pressure on Petra Diamonds as losses widen to $188mPetra Diamonds posted a $188m net loss for the six months to December, warning that continued rand strength was a major risk to the business alongside weak diamond prices.