Raw Mineral Export Ban Takes Effect

The Government has begun enforcing stricter oversight on mineral exports following its ban on the export of raw minerals and lithium concentrates, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon. Polite Kambamura, told Parliament on Thursday during a National Assembly question-and-answer session.

Responding to a question from Zaka South Member of Parliament, Hon. Clemence Chiduwa, who sought clarity on measures being taken to implement the ban on raw earth minerals, Minister Kambamura said authorities have already moved to stop the export of unprocessed minerals.

“We have already banned the export of raw minerals and the exportation of lithium concentrates,” Kambamura said.

The minister explained that the decision was partly prompted by concerns that mining companies were not fully declaring the mineral composition of their export consignments.

“One of the many reasons was that the industry was not declaring the composition of the export consignment fully,” he said.

To address this issue, the Government will now subject every mineral export consignment to verification checks to determine its exact mineral content before it leaves the country.

“Going forward, the government will be checking every export consignment to see the mineral composition,” Kambamura said.

He added that authorities have also engaged the mining sector to encourage transparency in reporting the contents of both their mineral deposits and export shipments.

“We have also called the industry to voluntarily declare the composition of their deposits, their mines and also to declare the composition of their export consignments voluntarily,” the minister said.

Zimbabwe has in recent years tightened regulations around the export of raw minerals, particularly lithium, as part of efforts to promote local beneficiation and ensure the country derives greater value from its natural resources.

Lithium, a key component used in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems, has become one of the country’s fastest-growing mineral sectors.

The Government has said the export restrictions are aimed at encouraging investors to establish local processing facilities and improving accountability in mineral exports.