Zimbabwe is set to introduce export quotas on lithium concentrates and require stronger commitments to domestic processing as conditions for resuming mineral exports, according to the country’s mines ministry.
Africa’s leading lithium producer suspended exports of lithium concentrates and other unprocessed minerals on February 26, citing concerns over malpractice and revenue leakages.
In a directive issued to the Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe, the ministry outlined new compliance measures for producers. These include mandatory publication of annual financial statements, as well as adherence to labour, safety, and environmental standards.
The government will allocate specific export quotas to each lithium producer, with approved volumes to be communicated individually.
In addition, mining companies must submit written commitments detailing timelines to establish lithium sulphate processing plants before January 1, 2027—part of a broader push to increase local value addition.
A 10% export tax on lithium concentrates will remain in place until a full ban on concentrate exports takes effect in January 2027.
Zimbabwe’s lithium sector is largely dominated by Chinese firms, including Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine Resource Group, Chengxin Lithium Group, Yahua Group, and Tsingshan Holding Group—reinforcing China’s strong position in the global battery metals supply chain.
In 2025, Zimbabwe exported approximately 1.128 million metric tonnes of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate to China, accounting for around 15% of China’s total lithium concentrate imports that year.
Some companies have already begun investing in local processing. Huayou, for instance, recently commissioned a $400 million plant to convert lithium concentrate into lithium sulphate—an intermediate product used to produce battery-grade materials such as lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate.
Sinomine and Yahua have also announced plans to develop lithium sulphate facilities at their Zimbabwean operations, aligning with the government’s push to retain more value within the country’s mining sector.
