Govt has begun enforcing its suspension of exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates, with authorities saying the move is aimed at curbing malpractice and strengthening local value addition in the mining sector.
The ban, announced on Wednesday by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, applies to all minerals, including consignments already in transit, and will remain in force until further notice.
“Government expects cooperation of the mining industry on this measure which has been taken in the national interest,” the ministry said in a statement.
Officials say the export freeze forms part of a wider review of mineral export systems, following concerns over leakages and non-compliance. In correspondence dated February 17 and addressed to the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, the ministry said it was realigning export procedures due to “continued malpractices during the exportation of minerals.”
“This review is part of a broader effort to curb leakages and enhance efficiency within our systems,” the ministry said.
The government reiterated its long-standing policy position on beneficiation, stressing that exporting unprocessed minerals undermines national development goals.
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“Government remains committed to in-country value addition and beneficiation, compliance, and accountability in the exportation of Zimbabwe’s mineral resources,” the statement added.
The move comes earlier than previously expected, particularly for lithium concentrates, which had been earmarked for an export ban from 2027 as Zimbabwe pushed miners to process more of the battery mineral locally.
Zimbabwe is Africa’s largest lithium producer and exported about 1.128 million metric tonnes of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate in the year ended December 2025, representing an 11 percent increase from the previous year. Much of the material has been shipped to China for further processing.
In recent years, lithium output has expanded rapidly following heavy investment by Chinese mining firms, including Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine, Chengxin Lithium Group and Yahua.
Some miners have already begun aligning with the beneficiation drive. Huayou has constructed a US$400 million lithium sulphate plant in Zimbabwe, while Sinomine has announced plans to build a US$500 million processing facility at its Bikita mine.
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