Zimbabwe suspends raw mineral exports
The Zimbabwean government has halted the export of all lithium concentrates and raw minerals, including consignments currently in transit.
Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Polite Kambamura, announced the suspension at a media briefing in Harare on Wednesday.
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According to Mining Zimbabwe, he said the decision was in line with the government’s drive to enforce local value addition and beneficiation.
“The government has suspended the export of all lithium concentrates and raw minerals with immediate effect until further notice. This suspension includes all minerals currently in transit,” Kambamura said.
The directive instructs regulatory bodies, including the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), to enforce the suspension without exception.
“Government expects the cooperation of the mining industry on this measure, which has been taken in the national interest,” he said.
“The Minister of Mines and Mining Development will be engaging the industry in the near future on the new expectations and the way forward.”
For exports of other minerals, the government has introduced stricter conditions. Only mining companies with valid mining titles and approved beneficiation plans will be permitted to export.
In a move targeting intermediaries, third-party traders are explicitly prohibited from exporting minerals.
“Agents and third-party traders are not authorised to export minerals on behalf of mining title holders,” said Kambamura.
Export permit applications must now include a recommendation letter from the relevant provincial mines office detailing beneficiation capacity and compliance status, along with a declaration of the mineral composition of the consignment.
Kambamura warned that the ministry might at any time test an export consignment to verify its mineral composition.
“No application will be processed without full compliance. Any mineral exports not supported by valid export permits and complete documentation shall be denied clearance and confiscated by the state,” he said.
Kambamura warned that the continuous use of an expired export permit or an already exhausted export permit was a serious offence that warranted the withdrawal of future export permits and mining rights.
“These measures are being implemented in the national interest to enhance local mineral value addition and beneficiation, improve mineral accountability, promote local beneficiation, and maximise value retention within the country.”
He said duration of the suspension would depend on industry compliance.
According to official MMCZ data, Zimbabwe exported about 1.1-1.128 million metric tonnes of lithium concentrates in 2025, representing an 11% increase compared with the previous year. Zimbabwe is Africa's top lithium producer and a key global supplier to Chinese refineries, which process it into battery materials for electric vehicles.
Export revenue remained nearly flat at US$513.8 million compared with $514.5 million in 2024 due to softer global prices.
