Zimbabwe to ban lithium concentrate exports in 2027

Zimbabwe will ban exports of lithium concentrates in 2027 as part of a push to make foreign mining companies develop refining operations in the country, a cabinet minister said.

“With effect from January 2027, the export of lithium concentrates will no longer be allowed,” Information Minister Jenfan Muswere told reporters in the capital Harare.

Bikita Minerals Ltd., the local unit of Sinomine Resources Group, and Arcadia Lithium, are both establishing facilities that will process ores produced locally into higher-value lithium sulphate, the minister said.

The southern African nation has emerged quickly as a significant supplier of lithium concentrate for refineries in China after companies such as Chengxin Lithium Group, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co and Sinomine spent billions of dollars in recent years to develop mines. Exports of raw mineral have already been banned since last year.

Several African countries have sought to push foreign mining companies to add more value to their economies. Last year, Zimbabwe supplied about 14% of China’s lithium imports, according to CRU Group. The lithium sulphate produced in the country would still be shipped to China for further processing into battery-grade material.

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