Zimbabwe stops exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates as ministry targets alleged export malpractice

Zimbabwe stops exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates as ministry targets alleged export malpractice
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Zimbabwe has imposed an immediate suspension on exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates, with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development saying it is moving to address alleged malpractices and leakages in the export system, Reuters reported on February 25, 2026.

The ministry said the ban applies with immediate effect and will remain in place until further notice. It also covers all minerals currently in transit.

In its statement, the ministry said: “Government expects cooperation of the mining industry on this measure which has been taken in the national interest.” It added that the government remains committed to “in-country value addition and beneficiation, compliance, and accountability in the exportation of Zimbabwe’s mineral resources”.

Reuters reported that the ministry also set out its intentions in a letter dated February 17 addressed to the Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines, which represents major mining companies. In that letter, the ministry said it would realign export processes due to concern about “continued malpractices during the exportation of minerals”.

“This review is part of a broader effort to curb leakages and enhance efficiency within our systems,” the ministry wrote, according to the letter cited by Reuters.

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The decision is expected to have a direct impact on Zimbabwe’s lithium supply chain. Zimbabwe is Africa’s top producer of lithium, used in batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage, and has been urging miners to process more material locally to increase returns from the sector.

Reuters noted that a ban on lithium concentrate exports had previously been expected to take effect in 2027 as part of a wider beneficiation push. The latest announcement, however, brings forward restrictions and expands them to cover all raw mineral exports.

According to Reuters, Zimbabwe exported 1.128 million metric tonnes of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate in the year ended December 2025, an 11% increase on the previous year. Most of this concentrate is exported to China for further processing into battery-grade materials.

Zimbabwe’s spodumene output has expanded rapidly in recent years after significant investment by Chinese mining firms including Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine, Chengxin Lithium Group and Yahua, Reuters said.

Reuters also reported growing investment in local processing. Huayou has recently built a US$400 million plant to process lithium concentrates into lithium sulphate, an intermediate product that can be refined into battery-grade materials such as lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate. Sinomine has announced plans to construct a US$500 million lithium sulphate plant at its Bikita mine.

The mines ministry did not provide a timeline for the review or when exports may resume, stating only that the suspension would remain in place until further notice.

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