Premier Targets Lithium Export Restart as Soft Lifting of Export Ban
Premier African Minerals Limited says it is preparing to resume lithium concentrate exports after the Government of Zimbabwe signalled a shift from a blanket ban to a controlled quota-based system for producers, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Ryan Chigoche
The expected restart follows recent moves by authorities to grant export quotas to selected lithium miners, marking a policy adjustment after February’s suspension of lithium concentrate shipments, including cargo already in transit, as part of efforts to drive in-country beneficiation.
The ban formed part of a broader push to capture more value from Zimbabwe’s lithium resources, amid concerns that the country has been exporting raw material at significantly discounted prices while downstream processors earn substantially higher returns.
Lithium concentrates from Zimbabwe have typically fetched about US$375 per tonne, compared to more than US$20,000 per tonne for refined products on international markets, highlighting the scale of value leakage authorities are seeking to address.
Premier said ongoing engagement with regulators has now clarified the path toward a phased resumption of exports.
“The company notes recent developments in Zimbabwe’s lithium export policy following the government’s February 2026 decision to suspend exports of lithium concentrates and other raw minerals in order to promote in-country beneficiation and address regulatory concerns,” the company said.
“Subsequent industry engagement and regulatory clarification indicate that exports are expected to resume under a controlled framework, with approvals and quotas being granted to qualifying producers that meet specified criteria, including compliance with local processing and regulatory requirements.”
Under the revised framework, producers must commit to beneficiation investments, including plans to separate all economic minerals before export, develop lithium sulphate plants by January 2027, and install internationally accredited laboratories and on-site assay facilities within three months.
They are also required to fully declare mineral content in export consignments and publish financial statements starting December 2025.
Premier said it supports the policy direction, describing it as a pragmatic balance between enforcing value addition and sustaining sector activity.
Alongside the regulatory developments, the company is reinforcing operations at its Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project after raising approximately £750,000 through a share issue in London.
The funding is being deployed to maintain operational momentum as the project moves from construction toward commissioning, while supporting installation and integration of the flotation plant—a critical component of the processing circuit.
Zulu remains central to Premier’s growth strategy in the lithium sector, with recent progress focused on the Xinhai flotation plant, which is designed to upgrade ore by separating spodumene from waste minerals such as quartz and feldspar.
Installation work has advanced in recent weeks, with site-based fabrication of piping, walkways, and flotation infrastructure being carried out by the project team under specialist supervision, positioning the operation for improved concentrate quality ahead of export resumption.
