The Zimbabwean government has suspended the export of all lithium concentrates and raw minerals with immediate effect until further notice, Minister of Mines and Mining Development Dr. Polite Kambamura announced at a press conference today, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The suspension, which takes effect immediately, applies to all minerals currently in transit, sending a clear signal that the government will no longer tolerate the export of unprocessed mineral wealth.
“The government has suspended the export of all lithium concentrates and raw minerals with immediate effect until further notice,” Minister Kambamura stated. “This suspension includes all minerals currently in transit.”
The Minister directed all regulatory authorities, including the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), to observe the suspension without exception.
“Government expects the cooperation of the mining industry on this measure, which has been taken in the national interest,” he added. “The Minister of Mines and Mining Development will be engaging the industry in the near future on the new expectations and the way forward.”
Beyond the immediate suspension, Minister Kambamura outlined stringent new requirements governing the export of all other minerals. The message is unambiguous: only compliant producers with approved beneficiation plans will be allowed to export.
“Only mining companies holding valid mining titles and approved beneficiation plans will be authorised to export minerals from the country,” the Minister declared.
In a significant blow to middlemen and speculators, the Minister explicitly barred third-party traders from the export chain.
“Agents and third-party traders are not authorised to export minerals on behalf of mining title holders,” he said.
For export permit applications, companies must now attach:
- A recommendation letter from the relevant Provincial Mines Office, clearly stating:
- Beneficiation capacity
- Compliance status with Ministry regulations and other statutory requirements
- A declaration of the mineral composition of the export consignment
Crucially, the Ministry reserved the right to independently verify these declarations.
“The Ministry may at any time test the export consignment to verify its mineral composition,” Minister Kambamura warned. “No application will be processed without full compliance with the above requirements.”
The Minister issued a stark warning to those who might attempt to circumvent the new regulations.
“ZIMRA, MMCZ, and other regulatory authorities will strictly enforce these requirements,” he said. “Any mineral exports not supported by valid export permits and complete documentation shall be denied clearance and confiscated by the State.”
He also addressed the issue of expired or exhausted permits, which have been exploited by smuggling syndicates in the past.
“The continuous use of an expired export permit or an already exhausted export permit is a serious offence that warrants the withdrawal of future export permits and mining rights,” the Minister warned.
The Rationale: Value Addition and National Interest
Minister Kambamura framed the measures squarely within the government’s broader beneficiation agenda, which has been championed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“Government reiterates that these measures are being implemented in the national interest to enhance local mineral value addition and beneficiation, improve mineral accountability, promote local beneficiation, and maximise value retention within the country,” he said.
The Minister acknowledged that implementation would require engagement with stakeholders.
“The Ministry will continue to engage stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of these measures and to support compliant operators,” he stated.
When asked about the duration of the suspension, the Minister indicated that it would depend on industry compliance.
Today’s announcement represents a seismic shift in Zimbabwe’s mining regulatory environment. The immediate suspension of all lithium concentrate exports, including shipments already in transit, will send shockwaves through the sector.
For lithium producers racing to complete processing plants before the previously announced 2027 ban, the timeline has now been dramatically accelerated. Companies without operational beneficiation facilities will be unable to export any material until further notice.
For chrome and other minerals, the new requirements—particularly the barring of third-party traders and the mandatory Provincial Mines Office recommendation—will significantly tighten the export approval process.
The government’s insistence on verifying mineral composition at any time also signals an intensified crackdown on misdeclaration and smuggling, which have plagued the sector.
Minister Kambamura indicated that further engagement with the industry would follow in the coming days. Mining Zimbabwe will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the situation evolves.
