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 its push for in-country value addition and beneficiation, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The directive, issued on 21 July 2026 and addressed to the General Manager of the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), Dr N.J. Moyo, orders the suspension to take effect immediately and remain in force until further notice.
Signed by the Secretary for Mines and Mining Development, Dr Thomas Utete Wushe, the directive covers exports of both minerals in all forms, specifically including ores and concentrates.
“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,” reads the directive.
The Ministry said the decision had been taken in the national interest and was consistent with Government’s policy thrust towards 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 and places an immediate halt on their export through MMCZ pending further notice from the Government.
Zimbabwe has increasingly pursued policies aimed at ensuring the country captures greater value from its mineral resources through local processing and beneficiation rather than relying primarily on exports of unprocessed minerals.
The suspension of antimony and tungsten exports now brings that policy focus directly into two strategically important minerals with applications across industrial manufacturing and advanced technologies.
However, the directive does not specify how long the suspension will remain in place or outline the conditions under which exports could resume.
It also does not, on the face of the directive, provide details on transitional arrangements for existing producers, stockpiles, export contracts or shipments that may already have been scheduled before the order took effect.
The developments are therefore likely to require further clarification from the Ministry and MMCZ, particularly for companies involved in the production and marketing of antimony and tungsten.
For now, the instruction 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 is copied to Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura, Deputy Minister Dr Kambamura, Deputy Minister F. Moyo, the Commissioner General of ZIMRA, and the Acting Chief Director for Mining Development, among other officials.
