Zimbabwe has halted the export of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates with immediate effect, including shipments already in transit.
On Wednesday, Polite Kambamura, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, declared the export ban, emphasizing that the decision was taken in the national interest. He stated that the suspension is intended to enhance transparency, ensure compliance, and strengthen accountability in the management of Zimbabwe’s mineral resources.
The measure also aims to promote in-country value addition and beneficiation, enabling the nation to retain greater economic benefits from its mining sector.
“To this effect, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, and regulators are advised to observe the suspension without exception,” Kambamura said.
The export ban on lithium concentrates was initially scheduled to take effect in January 2027, with the expectation that mining companies would start processing and refining the mineral domestically.
In a letter sent to Zimbabwe’s Chamber of Mines and viewed by Reuters on Wednesday, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development affirmed that it would adjust export procedures due to concerns over ‘continued malpractices during the exportation of minerals.’ The ministry added that the review forms part of a wider effort to reduce leakages and improve efficiency within the system.
Zimbabwe, which holds Africa’s largest lithium reserves, exported 1.128 million metric tons of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate in 2025, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. Most of this concentrate is shipped to China for conversion into battery-grade materials.
However, the government has been urging miners to carry out more processing domestically to capture greater economic benefits from the global transition to clean energy.
In recent years, Zimbabwe has tightened its mineral export policies, prioritizing domestic beneficiation over raw resource exports. Under the new framework, only companies with valid mining licenses and approved processing facilities will be allowed to export. Third-party agents or traders will no longer be permitted to export on behalf of mining firms.
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