- Zimbabwe has suspended the export of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates with immediate effect, including shipments in transit.
- Only mining companies with valid titles and approved beneficiation plants will qualify to export under stricter rules.
- Authorities say the move aims to boost transparency, value addition and mineral accountability.
ZIMBABWE has suspended the export of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates with immediate effect, including shipments already in transit, the Mines Ministry said in a statement.
This ban will stay in effect “until further notice” and is being put in place for the national interest, as stated by Mines and Mining Development Minister Polite Kambamura.
The ministry has instructed the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), and other regulatory bodies to enforce this suspension “without exception.”
In recent years, Zimbabwe has been working to limit raw mineral exports and encourage processing within the country, especially for lithium, as part of a wider initiative to add value to its resources.
The ministry also laid out stricter conditions that will apply to mineral exports once they are allowed again.
Only mining companies with valid mining titles and approved beneficiation plants will be permitted to export, and agents or third-party traders will not be allowed to ship minerals on behalf of title holders.
Export applicants will need to provide a recommendation letter from the relevant Provincial Mining Office that confirms their capacity for beneficiation and compliance status, and they must declare the mineral composition of each shipment.
“The Ministry will at any time test to verify the mineral composition of each consignment,” Kambamura said, adding that no application will be processed without full compliance.
The statement also noted that any exports lacking valid permits and complete documentation will be denied clearance, and using an expired or invalid export permit could result in the withdrawal of both the export permit and the mining title.
Additionally, the ministry plans to engage with the industry on “new expectations and way forward” and will conduct an audit of minerals to improve accountability, although no timeline was provided.
