Zimbabwe to Ban Export of Lithium Concentrates from 2027: Unlocking Local Value and New Business Opportunities

Zimbabwe is taking a bold step to strengthen its role in the global battery minerals value chain by announcing a ban on the export of lithium concentrates from January 2027. The move, confirmed by Mines Minister Winston Chitando during a media briefing, signals the government’s intent to accelerate local processing and boost economic returns from one of Africa’s most strategic resources.

Shift Toward Value Addition

Zimbabwe, the continent’s leading lithium producer, has already banned the export of raw lithium ore since 2022. The latest measure targets lithium concentrates, pushing mining companies to invest in value-added processing within the country. This policy aligns with Zimbabwe’s wider industrialisation strategy and follows similar moves in other critical minerals sectors, as global demand for battery-grade lithium soars in the renewable energy and electric vehicle markets.

Lithium miners operating in Zimbabwe, most of whom are Chinese firms, have historically exported concentrates to China for further refining. However, with lithium sulphate plants under development at Bikita Minerals (owned by Sinomine) and Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (owned by Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt), the government believes local capacity is now sufficient to justify a total export ban.

Building Industrial Capacity

Lithium sulphate, an intermediate product, is a crucial step toward producing battery-grade chemicals such as lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate. These materials are essential for manufacturing batteries that power everything from electric cars to renewable energy storage systems.

Minister Chitando noted that Zimbabwe’s evolving industrial landscape now makes it possible to process all lithium concentrates domestically. “Because of that capacity which is now in the country, the export of all lithium concentrates will be banned from January 2027,” he explained.

The government has been pushing miners to submit plans for building refineries since early 2024. While a slump in lithium prices saw some flexibility granted, recent investments—over $1 billion since 2021 by Chinese groups such as Sinomine, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Chengxin Lithium Group, Yahua Group, and Canmax Technologies—are rapidly transforming the sector.

Business Trends and Opportunities

This policy shift is set to reshape Zimbabwe’s mining and manufacturing landscape. By requiring value addition, the government aims to create more skilled jobs, stimulate technology transfer, and retain more economic benefits within the country. International investors and local entrepreneurs alike should watch for new opportunities in:

• Refining and processing plants: Partnerships and investment in chemical processing facilities
• Equipment supply and engineering: Supplying machinery, technology, and expertise to local projects
• Logistics and services: Developing infrastructure to support a more complex, domestic battery minerals supply chain
• Renewable energy: Powering new plants with sustainable energy sources

Zimbabwe’s move mirrors broader African ambitions to move up the global minerals value chain, reduce dependency on raw exports, and maximise returns from its natural resources. For forward-thinking investors and businesses, the coming years may see Zimbabwe emerge not just as a source of lithium, but as a regional hub for battery material production and innovation.

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