Zimbabwean cabinet approves ban on exports of lithium concentrates, raw minerals

HARARE, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwean Cabinet on Tuesday approved a ban on raw minerals and lithium concentrates exports, following an announcement by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development in late February.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing, Mines and Mining Development Minister Polite Kambamura said the indefinite ban was imposed in the national interest to promote local value addition of minerals.

He said the government previously announced a ban on lithium concentrate exports for January 2027, but reversed the decision after observing malpractices in the lithium mining industry.

"After the notice on the intended ban, the industry responded otherwise by increasing its level of production and also increasing export volumes. There was also an increased appetite for lithium export permits, and the rationale behind it was to export as much product as possible before the notice period," he said.

"So we had to come in with this intervention of banning the export of lithium concentrates and also any raw minerals or minerals that are not value-added with effect from Feb. 26, 2026," the minister said, adding that the ban will remain until government conditions or expectations are met.

Zimbabwe has seen significant investment in its lithium sector in recent years due to growing global demand for the mineral, which is critical to the global energy transition.