Zimbabwe Imposes Immediate Ban on Raw Minerals and Lithium Exports
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Zimbabwe enacted an immediate export ban on February 25 for all raw minerals and lithium concentrates, citing malpractice and leakages, with the Ministry of Mines stating it applies to in-transit shipments until further notice. The move accelerates a previously planned 2027 lithium ban, disrupting supply chains for Chinese producers reliant on vertically integrated Zimbabwe projects.
Fastmarkets forecasts Zimbabwe at 124,000 tonnes LCE in 2026 (7% global supply), accounting for 15% of China’s 7.75mn-tonne spodumene imports last year. Affected operations include Sinomine’s Bikita mine, Huayou Cobalt’s Prospect Lithium, Yahua’s Kamativi, and Chengxin’s Sabi Star—all shipping to China for conversion.
Traders anticipate spot spodumene shortages and price support, with one noting Chinese firms must now source amid tight availability. Analyst Chandler Wu expects exacerbation of lithium resource constraints, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s nationalisation push as prices rise.
The government recommits to in-country beneficiation, following Huayou’s 50,000 tpy lithium sulfate plant launch in October 2025. Harare seeks greater control over critical minerals, mirroring Africa’s upstream value-capture trend amid battery metals demand.
