Zimbabwe suspends exports of lithium concentrates, raw minerals

Zimbabwe suspended exports of lithium concentrates and raw minerals as it pushes mining firms to set up processing operations in the country.

The export ban is effective immediately until further notice, Mines Minister Polite Kambamura told reporters in the capital Harare on Wednesday.

The African nation has quickly emerged as a major supplier of lithium concentrate for refineries in China, after firms such as Chengxin Lithium Group, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Sinomine Resource Group spent billions of dollars to develop mines. Governments across the continent have sought to compel mining companies to refine minerals locally to increase the economic gains from their countries’ resources.

Zimbabwe has some of the largest lithium reserves in Africa and is among the top global producers, with resources estimated at 126 million tons, according to official data.

Kambamura said the ban will only be lifted if miners comply with government requirements.

Last year, the country said it would ban lithium concentrate exports in 2027 as part of efforts to make foreign mining companies develop refining operations locally.

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