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Zimbabwe to ban export of lithium concentrates
11 Jun 2025 at 08:41hrs | Views
Zimbabwe will prohibit the export of lithium concentrates starting January 2027, as part of government efforts to compel foreign mining companies to establish processing and refining facilities within the country, Cabinet announced during a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday.
This move follows Zimbabwe's 2022 ban on the export of unprocessed lithium ore. Since then, only lithium concentrates have been allowed for export, requiring producers to add some value to the mineral by processing ore into concentrates before shipping. The government aims to further increase value addition to create local jobs, enhance mineral revenues, and stimulate industrial growth.
Mines Minister Winston Chitando explained that the next step in the country's strategy is to allow only lithium sulphate exports from 2027 - a product with a higher level of value addition used directly in battery manufacturing.
"We do have two major players, Bikita and Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, who are in the process of establishing lithium sulphate plants," Chitando said. "These value addition facilities will upgrade lithium concentrate into lithium sulphate. Because of that capacity now existing in the country, the export of all lithium concentrates will be banned from January 2027."
Chitando urged companies in the lithium sector to invest in building lithium sulphate plants or to collaborate through toll treatment agreements, allowing those without refining capacity to process concentrates locally ahead of the ban.
"We call upon players in the lithium sector to come together and collaborate so that those who are not investing in lithium sulphate facilities sign respective agreements for toll treatment. Come January 2027, exports of lithium concentrates will no longer be allowed," he said.
This policy aligns with a broader trend among African nations aiming to encourage foreign mining firms to increase local value addition and maximize benefits to their economies.
Zimbabwe, which boasts Africa's largest lithium reserves, is positioning itself to capture more economic value from its mineral wealth through these measures, signaling a push towards industrialisation and economic diversification.
This move follows Zimbabwe's 2022 ban on the export of unprocessed lithium ore. Since then, only lithium concentrates have been allowed for export, requiring producers to add some value to the mineral by processing ore into concentrates before shipping. The government aims to further increase value addition to create local jobs, enhance mineral revenues, and stimulate industrial growth.
Mines Minister Winston Chitando explained that the next step in the country's strategy is to allow only lithium sulphate exports from 2027 - a product with a higher level of value addition used directly in battery manufacturing.
"We do have two major players, Bikita and Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, who are in the process of establishing lithium sulphate plants," Chitando said. "These value addition facilities will upgrade lithium concentrate into lithium sulphate. Because of that capacity now existing in the country, the export of all lithium concentrates will be banned from January 2027."
Chitando urged companies in the lithium sector to invest in building lithium sulphate plants or to collaborate through toll treatment agreements, allowing those without refining capacity to process concentrates locally ahead of the ban.
"We call upon players in the lithium sector to come together and collaborate so that those who are not investing in lithium sulphate facilities sign respective agreements for toll treatment. Come January 2027, exports of lithium concentrates will no longer be allowed," he said.
This policy aligns with a broader trend among African nations aiming to encourage foreign mining firms to increase local value addition and maximize benefits to their economies.
Zimbabwe, which boasts Africa's largest lithium reserves, is positioning itself to capture more economic value from its mineral wealth through these measures, signaling a push towards industrialisation and economic diversification.
Source - NewZimbabwe
