Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
THE export of mineral ores was banned with immediate effect to prevent the plunder of the country’s natural resources, following unprecedented and unacceptable extraction of raw lithium ore as well as massive exports and stockpiling ahead of the 2027 deadline, Mines and Mining Development Minister Polite Kambamura said yesterday.
Responding to a question posed by The Herald at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, the minister said President Mnangagwa took a decisive stance to stop the haemorrhage.
“As you are all aware, the Government previously announced its intention to implement a total ban on the export of raw lithium ore and concentrates effective 2027. This measure was designed to allow for an orderly transition towards domestic beneficiation, ensuring that our nation fully benefits from its mineral wealth through local value addition.
“Regrettably, in the period following that announcement, we witnessed an unprecedented and unacceptable scramble. Instead of preparing for value addition, some actors engaged in a frenzy of mining activity, seeking to extract and export as much raw lithium ore as possible before the deadline,” said Minister Kambamura
“Disturbing reports further indicate that substantial quantities of our lithium have been illicitly stockpiled in a neighbouring country, depriving our nation of its rightful revenue and future industrial potential.
“This behaviour amounts to nothing less than the plunder of our national heritage. It is a direct undermining of our sovereignty and our collective economic future.
“Consequently, His Excellency the President and the Cabinet have taken a decisive stance to ban the exportation of lithium concentrates with immediate effect and, of course, all other unprocessed ores,” said Min Kambamura.
In 2023, the Government enacted stricter regulations to curb the illicit export of various high-value minerals in raw form.
The measures were designed to promote domestic value addition, retain more economic benefits within the country and curb revenue losses from unprocessed mineral exports, but smuggling continued, leading to investigations that have now culminated in the latest ban.
Now, Zimbabwe is poised to capitalise on its rich mineral resources, with Minister Kambamura highlighting the country’s unique position in the global mining landscape after a surge in global lithium prices, following a halt of exports of ores and concentrates.
“It is correct that after the announcement, (global) prices were reviewed upwards just because of one word from the Government of Zimbabwe through the guidance of His Excellency, President Mnangagwa.
“Zimbabwe supplies 10 percent of the global demand for lithium, and also 90 percent of China’s requirements for lithium,” he said.
Zimbabwe holds Africa’s largest lithium reserves, exporting 1,128 million tonnes of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate last year, up 11 percent from the year before.
Dr Kambamura said Zimbabwe’s need for the value addition and beneficiation of its minerals was a no-brainer.
“As a country, considering our pole position and also considering that we are the largest lithium producer in Africa, we need to benefit considerably from our mineral resources and we need also to have a voice that can be heard, especially in the energy transition initiative,” he said.
Minister Kambamura said the country was looking to attract investors to play an active role in Zimbabwe’s latest stance of beneficiation.
The latest Government directive builds upon previous restrictions on unprocessed chrome and lithium, which have already catalysed investments in local processing plants.
Notable projects include Huayou’s US$400 million lithium sulfate facility and Sinomine’s proposed US$500 million plant at Bikita Minerals.
“So we are not going to be earning on beneficiation through lithium sulphate. We want to attract other companies, other investors, quality investors, of course, who will come, set a base in the country, and manufacture lithium products. We talk of solar panels, talk of lithium batteries, and so forth,” he said.
The Mines Minister also shed light on Zimbabwe’s green revolution endeavours, saying they needed to be spurred by the country’s mineral resources.
“So Zimbabwe also needs to go green. How do we go green? By further beneficiating our minerals. We do have the ingredient minerals into the green energy transition, so we are in a pole position. The fact that our voice can change global courses. It means we play a pivotal role in the lithium sector,” he said.
In his address at the post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said Cabinet had approved the ban on raw mineral exports and lithium concentrates.
