Bulawayo, (New Ziana) — The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), in partnership with Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (BBR), has began transporting lithium concentrate from Gwanda Lithium Mine to the Port of Maputo in Mozambique for export, marking a significant milestone in country’s efforts to increase bulk mineral transportation by rail.
The first freight train carrying 1 000 tonnes of lithium concentrate departed the newly commissioned BBR West Nicholson siding on Tuesday, with BBR transporting the cargo over its 180-kilometre section between Gwanda and Beitbridge before handing it over to NRZ for the more than 300-kilometre journey to Chicualacuala on the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border.
NRZ said the development reinforces railway’s strategic role in supporting Zimbabwe’s mining sector and facilitating exports to regional and international markets.
“The NRZ has, in partnership with Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway, started transporting lithium concentrate from Gwanda Lithium Mine to Maputo Port for export. The first train carrying 1 000 tonnes of lithium concentrate departed the newly commissioned BBR West Nicholson siding,” it said in a statement.
NRZ reaffirmed its commitment to positioning rail as the preferred transporter of bulk commodities, saying efficient freight services are critical to sustaining the country’s economic growth.
“NRZ is fully committed to ensuring it plays its role as a bulk commodity transporter, thereby ensuring the country’s ongoing economic development does not slow down,” it said.
The movement of lithium by rail is expected to reduce pressure on the country’s road network by taking heavy trucks off highways, lowering road maintenance costs and improving road safety.
Rail transport also offers lower freight costs for bulk commodities, reduces carbon emissions, and provides a more efficient and reliable means of moving large volumes of minerals to export markets.
The latest development comes as the country seeks to maximise value from its vast lithium resources while improving transport infrastructure to support increased mining production and exports.
Rail transport is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing the competitiveness of the country’s mineral exports by providing cost-effective and sustainable logistics solutions.
New Ziana
