The Manono Lithium Mine is one of the world’s largest undeveloped, lithium-rich LCT pegmatite deposits with high-grade ores. It is suitable for large-scale, open-pit mining, with excellent development prospects. In October 2023, Zijin Mining was invited to partner with COMINIERE, a DRC state-owned enterprise, to explore and develop the northeastern greenfield section of the Manono Lithium Mine. The project’s mining license was secured in September 2024 and is now in the construction phase.
The Manono lithium project is designed with a total mining and processing capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum. It will build a smelter that processes 500,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate per year, producing 95,170 tonnes of crude lithium sulfate annually. Mine construction is currently underway, with the accommodation camp and Phase I solar farm already commissioned. The mining, processing, and smelter projects, logistics facilities, and river diversion works are progressing as scheduled, with commissioning targeted for June 30, 2026.
Manono Lithium SAS, a joint venture established in October 2023 between Zijin Mining’s overseas subsidiary Jinxiang Lithium Limited and COMINIERE, holds the mining license for the Manono Northeast Lithium Project. Jinxiang Lithium owns a 54.9% interest in the company.
Through joint planning with local communities and the government and swift execution, the project works to implement exemplary social responsibility initiatives across seven key areas—education, healthcare, culture, sports, skills training, infrastructure, and agriculture. In 2024 alone, the project launched 25 community programs with a total investment of approximately US$5 million. It actively engages with communities and responds to their needs and inquiries through events including community receptions, community sustainability briefings, and public information sessions.
Throughout 2024, the project maintained continuous communication with various local stakeholders, conducting 35 meetings with host communities, government agencies, and NGOs, which earned recognition and support from the communities. Following receipt of the mining permit on September 17, 2024, the project promptly initiated consultations and began preparing the Cahier de Charge (Social Term Sheet). As part of this process, communities within its footprint have been identified and their preliminary needs documented.