Desert Lion Energy, a Canada-based company, is developing the first large-scale lithium mine in Namibia; it is located near Karibib in the Erongo region. The brownfield lithium mine was first discovered in the 1930s and has a long history of small-scale mining operations. Lithium presents one of the most exciting market opportunities, driven by the surging demand for lithium-ion batteries in key applications such as electric vehicles.
Having secured a trial shipment for January/February 2018, this too, has presented an exciting opportunity for Grindrod Terminals in Walvis Bay. The lithium shipment will be the first export cargo handled by the terminal in three years. The intent is to handle a further five shipments during the course of 2018, which has the potential to double the current annual throughput of the terminal.