Zimbabwe imposes complete ban on exporting all raw minerals nationwide

Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe has immediately suspended exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrate, according to the mines ministry, as the country moves to strengthen its control over resources vital for clean energy and defence sectors.

The ministry said the restriction applies to all unprocessed minerals, including shipments already on the way, and will stay in force until further notice. Mines Minister Polite Kambamura urged mining companies to fully support the decision, saying it was taken to protect national interests.

Rare earth elements and other key minerals are increasingly important worldwide because they are used in smartphones, renewable energy technologies, military equipment, and many modern products. As a result, several resource-rich countries are tightening rules to better manage and protect their mineral supplies.

The minister added that the government will soon hold discussions with mining companies to outline future requirements and the next steps.

“Government remains committed to ensuring transparency, in-country value addition and beneficiation, compliance, and accountability in the exportation of Zimbabwe’s mineral resources.”

The export ban on lithium concentrates had originally been scheduled to start in January 2027, a deadline the government hoped would push mining companies to begin processing and refining the mineral locally.

The southern African nation holds the continent’s largest lithium reserves and ships much of its production to China for further processing into battery grade materials.

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Mining is Zimbabwe’s second largest contributor to the country’s GDP, accounting for 14.3 percent of output after manufacturing, according to World Bank data.