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China has begun restricting exports of critical minerals to Western defence industries, a move that’s already causing production delays and driving up global prices, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week.
By Ryan Chigoche
The new controls, which target rare earth elements vital to military and high-tech applications from fighter jet engines and missile guidance systems to satellite components, tighten an already fragile supply chain.
For resource-rich countries like Zimbabwe, which hold significant deposits of these strategic minerals, the shifting dynamics present both a warning and a potential opening.
The move has rattled U.S. defence contractors, some of whom report waiting up to two months for rare earth magnets from non-Chinese suppliers.
Prices for key inputs like samarium, used in jet engines, have reportedly surged, being offered at up to 60 times their usual rate.
Supplies of other strategic minerals such as gallium and germanium are also dwindling, raising the risk of production slowdowns even among major manufacturers.
Although far removed from the U.S.-China standoff, Zimbabwe is not immune to the ripple effects. In fact, these developments may present a rare strategic opportunity.
Zimbabwe holds significant reserves of lithium, rare earths, and other speciality minerals, many of which remain underexplored or underdeveloped.
As global supply chains reconfigure, the rush to secure non-Chinese sources could draw renewed attention and investment toward Zimbabwe’s mineral sector.
Currently, Chinese firms dominate local lithium projects such as Bikita Minerals, Arcadia, and Sabi Star. However, Western governments and companies may now begin seeking alternative jurisdictions for future supply security.
If Zimbabwe can ensure transparent licensing, investor-friendly policies, and firm commitments to local value addition, it could attract diversified interest from markets looking to reduce their dependence on Chinese-origin minerals.
However, this will require a delicate balancing act. Zimbabwe must protect its existing partnerships with Chinese firms while creating space for Western capital and offtake agreements.
As global powers adjust their sourcing strategies, the country must avoid becoming locked into a one-dimensional mineral supply arrangement.
The geopolitical tension over minerals is no longer just a distant issue between Washington and Beijing—it could soon determine which mining nations thrive in the decade ahead.
Why Zimbabwe Needs a Critical Minerals Strategy — Now
China’s export controls have sent a clear warning to the West: diversify your mineral supply chains or face disruption. For Zimbabwe, this is more than a headline; it’s a call to action.
With untapped reserves of lithium, rare earths, and other strategic minerals, Zimbabwe is well-positioned to respond to this global realignment. But the window of opportunity will not remain open indefinitely. The country urgently needs a coherent, forward-looking Critical Minerals Strategy.
This strategy should begin with comprehensive mapping and systematic development of the country’s rare earth and speciality mineral deposits. It must also include robust policies on beneficiation and value addition to avoid falling into the familiar pattern of exporting raw materials without capturing downstream value.
In addition, Zimbabwe must build a diversified investment framework that not only accommodates its long-standing partnerships with Chinese companies but also actively welcomes Western and multilateral investors.
Managing geopolitical risk will be essential, allowing the country to remain neutral and adaptable in a rapidly shifting global environment. Equally important is the need for transparent, predictable, and investor-friendly regulations that can inspire confidence and attract long-term capital.
Without such a roadmap, Zimbabwe risks being left behind in the global reshuffling of mineral supply chains. Even worse, it could find itself overly dependent on China at a time when much of the world is seeking to reduce that very reliance.
The battle for control of critical minerals is accelerating, and Zimbabwe must now decide whether it will remain a passive player or take a strategic position.
A national critical minerals strategy is no longer a luxury—it is the key to unlocking long-term value from the country’s rich geological endowment and securing its place in the global mineral economy of the future.
