Government Eases Lithium Export Ban, Issues Quotas to Chinese Miners

By Kelvin Matore | Hurumende News

Harare, Zimbabwe – The Government has eased its hardline stance on lithium exports, granting controlled export quotas to Chinese mining giants Chengxin Lithium and Sinomine Resources barely two months after enforcing a ban on the shipment of raw lithium concentrates.

The policy adjustment follows the February 25, 2026 directive that prohibited the export of unprocessed lithium, a move initially praised as a bold step toward beneficiation and value addition within Zimbabwe’s fast-growing mining sector.

Authorities had argued the ban would curb revenue losses, address mineral underpricing, and accelerate local processing of lithium into higher-value products such as lithium carbonate and hydroxide—key components in electric vehicle battery production.

However, developments reported by the China Securities Journal indicate that Government has now issued export quotas of approximately 290,000 metric tonnes annually to Chengxin Lithium and 200,000 metric tonnes to Sinomine Resources, operators of Sabi Star Mine and Bikita Minerals respectively.

Industry experts say the move reflects a pragmatic balancing act between long-term industrial policy and immediate economic realities. Zimbabwe has attracted over US$1 billion in lithium investments, largely from Chinese firms, making policy stability critical to sustaining investor confidence.

A prolonged export ban, analysts note, could have disrupted operations, led to stockpiling of concentrates, and reduced revenue inflows, particularly foreign currency earnings from the sector. The Government also collects a 10 percent export tax on lithium concentrates, a key revenue stream that would have been affected by a total shutdown of exports.

Officials maintain that the broader beneficiation agenda remains intact, with a target to achieve full local processing by 2027. The quota system is seen as a transitional measure, allowing mining companies to continue operations while investing in processing infrastructure.