Zimbabwe will introduce lithium focus export quotas and require commitments for extra native processing as a part of circumstances to permit the resumption of mineral exports, the mines ministry has instructed producers.
Africa’s prime lithium producer suspended exports of lithium concentrates and different unprocessed minerals on February 26, after the federal government alleged malpractices and leakages.
In a letter to the nation’s mining chamber seen by Reuters on Wednesday, Zimbabwe’s mines ministry set out circumstances together with the obligatory publication of mines’ annual monetary statements in addition to labour, security and environmental requirements.
“Permitted lithium focus export quotas can be communicated to every producer,” the letter, dated April 2, added.
The federal government additionally desires “written commitments on devoted timelines to arrange lithium sulphate vegetation” earlier than January 1, 2027, it added.
A ten% export tax will, in the meantime, proceed to be levied on lithium focus exports till a January 2027 ban on focus shipments comes into pressure.
The Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
Chinese language mining corporations together with Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine, Chengxin Lithium Group, Yahua, and the Tsingshan Holding Group dominate Zimbabwe’s lithium mining sector, consolidating China’s dominance of the worldwide battery metallic provide chain.
In 2025, Zimbabwe exported 1.128-million metric tons of lithium-bearing spodumene focus to China, accounting for about 15% of its lithium focus imports for the yr.
Huayou lately constructed a $400-million plant to additional course of lithium concentrates into lithium sulphate, an intermediate product that may be refined into battery-grade supplies reminiscent of lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate.
Sinomine and Yahua have additionally introduced plans to construct lithium sulphate vegetation at their Zimbabwe mines.
