Zimbabwe officially suspended lithium exports, following concerns over ongoing malpractices and leakages in the mining sector.
The government attributed the halt to the continued unauthorized exportation of minerals, despite prior interventions by authorities and industry stakeholders.
On 17 February, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development issued a directive to the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, warning that export processes and frameworks for all minerals including beneficiated products, would be realigned to strengthen oversight and curb irregularities. The Ministry also announced plans to introduce a computerized export permit management system aimed at modernizing the sector, enhancing transparency, and improving ease of doing business.
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During the realignment, mining companies are expected to face temporary delays in the processing and issuance of export permits. Authorities have advised that all applications for new permits or renewals should be submitted at least one month in advance to allow sufficient time for due process. The Ministry emphasized that these measures are part of a broader effort to minimize leakages and create a more robust, streamlined export permit system that benefits all stakeholders.
“The realignment exercise is essential to protect Zimbabwe’s mineral resources and ensure that export procedures are transparent, efficient, and accountable,” the Ministry said. Officials assured mining companies that the government is working “flat out” to reduce disruptions during this transition and thanked stakeholders for their patience and cooperation.
The lithium export halt is seen as a necessary step in enforcing the new frameworks and addressing persistent malpractices that have long affected the country’s mining industry.
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