Zimbabwe Implements Lithium Concentrate Export Ban

On 1 January 2027, Zimbabwe will implement a ban on the export of lithium concentrate, a significant policy shift aimed at promoting local beneficiation within the country's critical minerals sector. This impending ban follows an earlier, immediate suspension of all raw mineral and lithium concentrate exports on 25 February, a decision announced by Mines Minister Polite Kambamura and communicated via a ministry letter dated 17 February, citing continued malpractices in mineral exports. Conditions for resuming trade were subsequently outlined in an April letter to the Chamber of Mines, mandating written commitments on timelines for building lithium sulphate plants before the January 2027 deadline. Currently, only one such plant, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe's $400 million facility at Arcadia (owned by Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt), has been completed, while others by Sinomine and Yahua are under construction, and state-owned Sandawana remains at the feasibility stage. An interim 10% export tax on concentrate is in effect until the full ban takes hold.