“Successful ignition of the transformation kiln furnace marks the project’s transition from construction to partial commissioning, signaling that Huayou has taken a solid, significant step forward in its global lithium resource strategy.” Standing at the project site, the project leader couldn’t hide their pride.

The ATZ project is located in Zimbabwe’s Arcadia lithium mining area and is planned to produce 50,000 tons of lithium sulfate annually. It is situated adjacent to the Huayou PLZ lithium concentrate processing plant. In 2023, the PLZ lithium concentrate plant became the first to start operations, ensuring a steady supply of raw materials for the ATZ project. By early 2025, Huayou integrated PLZ and ATZ to establish the "Zimbabwe Regional Management Center," creating an efficient, integrated "resource-to-smelting" collaboration system. This move not only optimizes the company’s industrial layout but also marks a crucial step for Huayou in building a more stable and highly efficient supply chain for lithium-ion battery materials.

Currently, the ATZ project construction has fully entered its final sprint phase. The main plant building and supporting facilities have been successfully completed, while core production line equipment is now being installed and undergoing localized commissioning—creating a bustling, energetic atmosphere on-site. Meanwhile, the leaching and concentration systems are rapidly advancing to prepare for integrated system testing and debugging. The China-Japan joint team continues to tackle challenges head-on, working tirelessly to ensure the project stays on track and achieves smooth production as planned.

As a significant initiative for Chinese new-energy companies participating in Africa’s Belt and Road, this project helps Huayou establish a global lithium resource operation system integrating "ore processing, smelting, and export," providing international customers with high-quality, traceable lithium salt products.