Zimbabwe announced on Tuesday a ban on lithium concentrate exports from 2027, continuing its push for increased local processing of the battery mineral.
Mines minister Winston Chitando confirmed the measure.
As Africa’s leading lithium producer, Zimbabwe previously banned raw lithium ore exports in 2022, urging miners, predominantly from China, to process locally.
Chitando noted that lithium sulphate plants are currently under development at two Zimbabwean mines: Sinomine’s Bikita Minerals and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt’s Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe.
Lithium sulphate is an intermediate product refined into battery-grade materials.
The ban, effective January 2027, is attributed to this growing domestic processing capacity.
Zimbabwe had given miners until March 2024 to submit refinery plans but eased its position after a price collapse.
Chinese firms, including Sinomine and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, have invested over \$1 billion since 2021 in Zimbabwean lithium projects.
