Zimbabwe reaffirms raw mineral export ban

Government has reaffirmed and expanded its ban on the export of raw minerals, clarifying that the suspension applies to all unprocessed minerals and not only lithium concentrates. Authorities also confirmed that the restriction, which came into effect last week, is indefinite.

The move aligns with President Emmerson Mnangagwa's policy thrust that Zimbabwe's mineral wealth should drive domestic industrialisation and benefit the broader population. Officials say the focus is shifting from the simple extraction and export of raw materials toward value addition, beneficiation and long-term economic transformation.

In a statement, Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura said the Government was committed to promoting transparency, strengthening domestic processing and ensuring 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," he said.

"This suspension includes all minerals currently in transit. To this effect, ZIMRA, MMCZ and regulators are advised to observe the suspension without exception."

Under the new regulations, only mining companies with valid mining titles and approved beneficiation plants will be permitted to export minerals. Agents and third-party traders are barred from exporting on behalf of mining title holders.

Minister Kambamura said applicants for export permits must attach a recommendation letter from the relevant provincial mining office, confirming beneficiation capacity and compliance with statutory requirements. Exporters will also be required to disclose the mineral composition of each shipment, with the ministry reserving the right to conduct verification tests at any time.

The use of expired or depleted export permits will be treated as a serious violation and may result in the revocation of both export permits and mining titles. Authorities warned that no mineral shipments lacking valid documentation will be cleared.

Government says the ban is intended to accelerate the establishment of beneficiation plants, create employment 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 the country to capture greater value from rising global demand for battery and industrial minerals.

Mining has become a cornerstone of Zimbabwe's economy in recent years, growing from US$2.7 billion in 2017 to US$6.5 billion last year, with projections to surpass US$7 billion this year. The sector contributes about 12 percent to Gross Domestic Product and accounts for more than 80 percent of export earnings, underscoring its central role in the country's goal of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030.