Zimbabwe has immediately banned the export of raw lithium and other unprocessed minerals after mining companies rushed to export large amounts before a planned 2027 deadline. The government said the scramble was “unacceptable” and went against plans to develop local processing industries.
Originally, the export ban was meant to start in January 2027 to give companies time to build refining facilities inside the country. But officials say instead of preparing to process lithium locally, some companies tried to extract and ship as much raw material as possible. Authorities also reported that large amounts of lithium may have been secretly stockpiled in a neighboring country.
Zimbabwe is Africa’s biggest lithium producer and holds some of the world’s largest reserves, according to the United States Geological Survey. Lithium is a key mineral used in batteries, green energy systems, and military equipment, making it highly valuable worldwide.
Last year, Zimbabwe exported 1.5 million metric tonnes of lithium concentrate, earning over $570 million, according to the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe.
The government says the sudden ban is meant to protect Zimbabwe’s economic future and ensure the country benefits more by processing its own minerals instead of exporting them raw.
Source: TRTAfrica
