News / National
Zimbabwe suspends antimony and tungsten exports
2 hrs ago |
56 Views
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has ordered the immediate suspension of all exports of antimony and tungsten, including ores and concentrates, as Government intensifies efforts to promote local mineral beneficiation and value addition.
The directive, issued on July 21, 2026, and addressed to the General Manager of the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), Dr N.J. Moyo, instructed the state minerals marketing agency to suspend exports of the two minerals with immediate effect and until further notice.
The directive was signed by Secretary for Mines and Mining Development Dr Thomas Utete Wushe.
"The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development hereby directs the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) to suspend, with immediate effect and until further notice, the export of antimony and tungsten in all forms, including ores and concentrates," the directive states.
The Ministry said the decision was taken in the national interest and was consistent with Government's policy of increasing in-country value addition and beneficiation of Zimbabwe's mineral resources.
"This directive has been issued in the national interest and is consistent with Government's policy thrust on in-country value addition and beneficiation of Zimbabwe's mineral resources," the letter states.
The move represents a significant intervention in the marketing of the two minerals, effectively halting their export through the MMCZ pending further Government direction.
Zimbabwe has increasingly sought to move away from the export of unprocessed minerals, with authorities pushing for greater domestic processing to retain more value within the economy.
The latest directive extends this approach to antimony and tungsten, two minerals with important industrial applications.
Antimony is used in areas including metal alloys, flame retardants and energy-related technologies, while tungsten is valued for its exceptional hardness and high-temperature resistance and is used in industrial and advanced manufacturing applications.
However, the directive does not specify how long the suspension will remain in force or set out conditions for the resumption of exports.
It also does not provide details on transitional arrangements for existing producers, stockpiles, export contracts or shipments that may have been scheduled before the order was issued.
The suspension is therefore likely to require further clarification from the Ministry and MMCZ, particularly from mining companies involved in the production, processing and marketing of the two minerals.
For now, the Government's position is clear: exports of antimony and tungsten in all forms, including ores and concentrates, have been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice.
The directive was copied to Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura, Deputy Minister Dr Kambamura, Deputy Minister F. Moyo, the Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and the Acting Chief Director for Mining Development, among other officials.
The directive, issued on July 21, 2026, and addressed to the General Manager of the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), Dr N.J. Moyo, instructed the state minerals marketing agency to suspend exports of the two minerals with immediate effect and until further notice.
The directive was signed by Secretary for Mines and Mining Development Dr Thomas Utete Wushe.
"The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development hereby directs the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) to suspend, with immediate effect and until further notice, the export of antimony and tungsten in all forms, including ores and concentrates," the directive states.
The Ministry said the decision was taken in the national interest and was consistent with Government's policy of increasing in-country value addition and beneficiation of Zimbabwe's mineral resources.
"This directive has been issued in the national interest and is consistent with Government's policy thrust on in-country value addition and beneficiation of Zimbabwe's mineral resources," the letter states.
The move represents a significant intervention in the marketing of the two minerals, effectively halting their export through the MMCZ pending further Government direction.
The latest directive extends this approach to antimony and tungsten, two minerals with important industrial applications.
Antimony is used in areas including metal alloys, flame retardants and energy-related technologies, while tungsten is valued for its exceptional hardness and high-temperature resistance and is used in industrial and advanced manufacturing applications.
However, the directive does not specify how long the suspension will remain in force or set out conditions for the resumption of exports.
It also does not provide details on transitional arrangements for existing producers, stockpiles, export contracts or shipments that may have been scheduled before the order was issued.
The suspension is therefore likely to require further clarification from the Ministry and MMCZ, particularly from mining companies involved in the production, processing and marketing of the two minerals.
For now, the Government's position is clear: exports of antimony and tungsten in all forms, including ores and concentrates, have been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice.
The directive was copied to Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura, Deputy Minister Dr Kambamura, Deputy Minister F. Moyo, the Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and the Acting Chief Director for Mining Development, among other officials.
Source - Mining Zimbabwe
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
