Zimbabwe Strengthens Ban on Raw Mineral Exports to Boost Domestic Processing

By Staff Reporter

The Zimbabwean government has reaffirmed and broadened its ban on the export of raw minerals, emphasizing that the restriction now applies to all unprocessed minerals, not just lithium concentrates. The export suspension, which took effect last week, is indefinite.

The decision reflects President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s policy that the country’s mineral resources should drive domestic industrialisation and benefit the wider population. Authorities said the focus is shifting from mere extraction and export of raw materials to value addition, beneficiation, and long-term economic transformation.

In a statement, Mines and Mining Development Minister Polite Kambamura affirmed the government’s commitment to transparency, local processing, and strict compliance in mineral exports.

> “The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development wishes to advise all stakeholders that Government has suspended export of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates with immediate effect until further notice,” Minister Kambamura said.
> “This suspension includes all minerals currently in transit. ZIMRA, MMCZ, and other regulators are to enforce the suspension without exception.”

Under the updated regulations, only mining companies with valid mining titles and approved beneficiation plants are allowed to export minerals. Agents or third-party traders cannot export on behalf of mining title holders.

Export permit applicants must provide a recommendation letter from the relevant provincial mining office, confirming beneficiation capacity and statutory compliance. Exporters are also required to disclose the mineral composition of each shipment, with the ministry reserving the right to conduct verification tests at any time.

Authorities warned that expired or invalid export permits will be treated as serious violations, potentially leading to the revocation of both permits and mining titles. No shipments without proper documentation will be cleared.

The government said the ban aims to accelerate the development of beneficiation plants, create jobs, and position Zimbabwe as a key player in the global green energy transition. With significant reserves of lithium, nickel, graphite, gold, platinum group metals, and chrome, officials believe local processing will enable Zimbabwe to capture more value from rising global demand for battery and industrial minerals.

Mining has become a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy, growing from US$2.7 billion in 2017 to US$6.5 billion in 2025, with projections to exceed US$7 billion in 2026. The sector contributes about 12% to the country’s GDP and accounts for more than 80% of export earnings, highlighting its central role in Zimbabwe’s goal of achieving upper-middle-income status by 2030.

Source: The Herald Zimbabwe