Harare – Zimbabwe has intensified its crackdown on mineral smuggling and tightened export controls, just weeks after imposing a ban on the export of raw lithium and other unprocessed minerals.
The move, announced on February 26, targets the export of raw minerals but places particular emphasis on lithium, a critical resource used in rechargeable batteries. Zimbabwe is Africa’s largest producer of the mineral, with the bulk of its exports historically destined for China’s battery manufacturing sector.
Authorities say the decision forms part of a broader strategy to curb revenue losses and promote domestic processing. However, while the policy has been welcomed by some as a long-overdue intervention, it has also raised concerns about implementation and potential job losses.
Zimbabwe had previously indicated plans to ban raw mineral exports from January 2027 to encourage local beneficiation and industrialisation. But the government brought the timeline forward by 10 months after detecting a surge in production and export activity, which officials believe was an attempt by mining companies to beat the impending restrictions.
Mining Minister Polite Kambamura said applications for lithium export permits spiked following the initial announcement, alongside increased output from producers.
“After the notice on the intended ban, the industry increased production and export volumes,” Kambamura said, adding that Zimbabwe’s complex geology made it easier for valuable minerals to be concealed and exported without detection.
He noted that secondary minerals such as tantalum, beryl and tin were being shipped out untaxed due to a lack of domestic testing and monitoring systems.
To address this, the government plans to introduce scanning technology at border posts to detect undeclared minerals and is working on a comprehensive critical minerals policy. A nationwide survey to map and quantify rare earth resources is also in the pipeline.
Chinese-backed investors are already investing millions of dollars into local lithium processing facilities, with the first plant expected to become operational in the coming weeks. The government will allow the export of processed lithium as part of its value-addition strategy.
Despite these efforts, critics argue that the policy lacks a solid legal foundation. Farai Maguwu, director of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance, said the ban could prove difficult to enforce without formal legislation.
“The mining sector is such a robust and sensitive sector it can’t be governed through press statements,” he said, calling for stricter laws and penalties to deter illegal activity.
Reports from within the sector suggest that some operators attempted to accelerate exports ahead of the ban, with trucks allegedly exceeding load limits and storage facilities across the border in Mozambique filling up with Zimbabwean minerals.
Labour unions have also raised alarm over the impact on workers. Justice Chinhema from the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union warned that the policy shift could lead to restructuring, reduced working hours and possible retrenchments.
Workers at major lithium operations, including Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe and Bikita Minerals, say overtime has already been cut and some employees have been placed on forced leave, heightening fears of reduced incomes.
Analysts say Zimbabwe stands to benefit significantly from the global demand for critical minerals driven by the green energy transition. However, questions remain about the country’s capacity to move further up the value chain.
Human rights advocate Rashweat Mukundu said Zimbabwe must assess whether it has the infrastructure and technical expertise required to fully capitalise on lithium beneficiation.
He also cautioned that abrupt policy changes could deter future investment, warning that the country risks undermining its competitiveness in the global mining sector.