The Government of Zimbabwe has suspended exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates with immediate effect, including those already in transit, until further notice. The announcement was made on Wednesday by Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Polite Kambamura.
The ministry cited the national interest and urged full cooperation from the mining sector, emphasizing the government’s commitment to transparency, in-country value addition, beneficiation, compliance, and accountability in mineral exports. The ban on lithium concentrates, originally scheduled for January 2027, aims to encourage miners to process and refine minerals domestically.
A letter addressed to the Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines highlighted concerns about “continued malpractices during the exportation of minerals” and noted that the review forms part of broader efforts to curb leakages and improve system efficiency.
Zimbabwe holds Africa’s largest lithium reserves and exported 1.128 million metric tonnes of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate in 2025, an 11% increase from 2024. Most of the concentrate currently goes to China for further processing, but the government wants more value addition within Zimbabwe as global demand for strategic minerals grows.
The announcement comes amid rising international competition for rare earths and minerals critical for smartphones, green energy, and defense technologies. Zimbabwe plans to engage the industry soon on new expectations and a way forward.
Mining is Zimbabwe’s second-largest contributor to GDP, accounting for 14.3% of output. Chinese investors such as Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine, Chengxin Lithium Group, and Yahua have been expanding lithium production. Huayou recently built a $400 million plant for lithium sulphate processing, while Sinomine plans a $500 million lithium sulphate facility at its Bikita mine.
