EnviroPress

07/05/2026

After the announcement that Arcadia Mine in Goromonzi district had dispatched for export its first batch of lithium sulphate, the first ever lithium salts to be produced in Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole, Chinese mining companies have strengthened their hold on one of the country's most strategic minerals at the moment. Lithium companies in Zimbabwe largely export lithium concentrates, which are basically crushed rocks with no further processing. Lithium sulphate, on the other hand, is an intermediate product which can be refined into a battery-grade material such as lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate used in battery manufacturing.

PLZ senior staff posing for photographs after announcing that Arcadia Mine had dispatched for export the first ever lithium salts to be produced in Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole. Source: PLZ By Trymore Tagwirei Chinese resources group Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt has assumed full control of Zimbabwe’s ...

30/04/2026

Through a partnership between EnviroPress Zimbabwe and the IUCN, women in the Mutirikwi and Tokwe sub-catchment councils are taking the first vital steps toward leadership in water governance.

By participating in advocacy training and field assessments, these women are gaining the knowledge and confidence needed to represent their communities. Local leaders in Zaka Ward 22 pledged their support to ensure women and youth have a seat at the table in village and ward development committees.

While the project currently focuses on key areas within the Save River Basin, the goal is clear: incremental expansion to ensure inclusive, fair, and sustainable water management for the entire region.

Knowledge is the first step toward change.

By Moses Ziyambi Many women in the Mutirikwi and Tokwe sub-catchment councils have begun exploring leadership opportunities in water governance at the village and ward levels. This shift comes as an inclusivity project, implemented by EnviroPress Zimbabwe, gains momentum. With support from the Inter...

28/04/2026

"𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐱𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡", 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧

The10 percent export tax on unbeneficiated lithium, 7 percent royalties, a 3 percent community development levy, 1 percent marketing fees payable to the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, and 15.5 percent VAT on applicable transactions.

Through the Lithium Producers Committee, players argue that nearly 40 percent of their revenue is absorbed by taxes and statutory charges, leaving limited capacity for reinvestment into value-addition infrastructure.

Trymore Tagwirei Lithium miners have protested against an apparently unsustainable tax regime, warning that rising costs and unpredictable policy pressures could slow momentum in one of the country’s fastest-growing economic sectors. With large-scale investments already taking shape in many parts ...

21/04/2026

"We agreed with the mine authorities some years ago that at least 80 percent of jobs, particularly casual positions, should be reserved for locals. They are not adhering to that. This agreement was reached during consultations with the former Minister (of Mines and Mining Development), Winston Chitando, but it is now clear those promises were hollow."

On April 14, approximately 100 young people gathered at the mine premises to register their complaints, but the crowd was quickly dispersed following the intervention of the police and Chief Marozva, Mutindi Mutindi.

Trymore Tagwirei Young people in Bikita have accused lithium mining giant Bikita Minerals of failing to honour its commitments regarding local employment quotas. Following a protest (pictured) that was quickly dispersed by police last week, the youth are now pushing for an urgent meeting with the mi...

15/04/2026

A male resident, Frank Shumba, today spent almost an hour with his leg stuck inside a Masvingo City Council stormwater drainage hole in the CBD. He was later rescued by members of the city's fire department. Other residents blamed the 'poorly' designed drainage hole covers for the man's predicament. The wide gaps inbetween the steel frames is a danger to everybody who misses his step. The man sustained a heavily swollen leg below the knee. Shumba was not offered any medical assistance.

11/04/2026

William Mafemani of Village 2, Nyangambe Resettlement in Ward 23, refused to let water shortages in his community persist any longer. Initially dismissed for attempting what many believed required heavy machinery, Mafemani’s efforts have since transformed into a community asset, significantly improving access to water.

Equipped with only basic tools and unwavering determination, he set out to build a reservoir that could capture and store precious rainfall. Mafemani said he worked tirelessly without mechanized equipment, even as many people mocked his efforts.

In the face of climate change marked by recurring droughts, a farmer in the semi-arid Chiredzi district has taken extraordinary steps to secure water for his community by building a weir with his bare hands. William Mafemani of Village 2, Nyangambe Resettlement in Ward 23, refused to let water short...

09/04/2026

Women in the Mutirikwi and Tokwe sub-catchments have highlighted unpaid care work, customary constraints and patriarchy as among the many factors behind their low participation in local water governance structures. This reflects the hostile gender-based dynamics women grapple with in their quest for inclusivity in broader governance systems. During a participatory field assessment on existent barriers to women's participation, we found that the barriers are many but so are the possible solutions. We have since scheduled trainings with support from IUCN.

08/04/2026

According to the latest monthly economic review report by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), the country recorded merchandise exports worth US$969.4 million, with primary commodities dominating the export structure.

“Gold accounted for the largest share at 50.9% of total exports, followed by to***co at 25.2% and Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) at 10.8%.

“Coal contributed 1.7% while steel accounted for 1.6%, with other minerals making up smaller portions.

Bags of lithium concentrate at Kamativi Mine waits exportation to China. Credit: Farai Maguwu Trymore Tagwirei Zimbabwe’s export sector remains heavily dependent on raw minerals, a development that continues to raise concerns over the slow pace of value addition and beneficiation in the country. A...

31/03/2026

Recent flooding in Mberengwa has wrought more damage to the Jeka – Chegato Bridge across the Mwenezi River cutting off a vital link between communities in Mberengwa West, North, and South and neighbouring Matabeleland South Province.

The bridge, which had just undergone makeshift repairs following damages caused by successive flooding starting with Cyclone Dineo in 2017, has now sustained more damage.

The destruction of this key structure has left thousands of villagers stranded and disrupted access to schools, clinics, and transport networks.

Trymore Tagwirei Recent flooding in Mberengwa has wrought more damage to the Jeka – Chegato Bridge across the Mwenezi River cutting off a vital link between communities in Mberengwa West, North, and South and neighbouring Matabeleland South Province. The bridge (pictured) which had just undergone ...

30/03/2026

In the Mukosi area of Masvingo Rural (Ward 21), local villagers are leading a project to reclaim land degraded by deep gullies. These gullies threaten homes, roads, and arable land, while also causing siltation in the Tugwi-Mukosi Dam catchment.

Working with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the community is using practical, stone-based methods to stabilize the soil.

The work includes building stone gabions, creating barriers to reduce water velocity and prevent further erosion (silt traps), and planting vetiver grass and other vegetation to hold the soil in place.

The project is a collaborative effort involving Environmental Management Agency, Agritex, the Forestry Commission Zimbabwe, and the Department of Veterinary Services to combat desertification and protect the local environment.

By Trymore Tagwirei Villagers in Mukosi Area, Ward 21, in Masvingo Rural District have embarked on an ambitious gully reclamation project aimed at protecting critical infrastructure and preserving the environment. The initiative, which is being supervised by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA)...

26/03/2026

In Mutirikwi and Tokwe sub-catchments, women handle water for their homes, gardens, and livestock. But a recent assessment by EnviroPress Zimbabwe has found they are largely left out of water governance.

Key findings:
65% of women have received no formal training in water management.

Younger women (25–40) want to lead but lack access o lead but lack access to information.

Socio-cultural norms still limit women's participation in public roles

"I would like to be involved but my knowledge is very limited," said a woman from Chatsworth, Gutu district.

With climate stress increasing, excluding women from water decisions is a risk communities cannot afford.

By Moses Ziyambi In the semi-arid stretches of the Mutirikwi and Tokwe sub-catchments, women have always been the anchors of water management, navigating drying riverbeds and distant water points to keep households running, gardens thriving, and livestock watered. However, a recent participatory fie...