HARARE – The Zimbabwean government has begun issuing lithium export quotas to selected producers, marking a partial policy reversal two months after imposing a blanket ban on the export of lithium concentrates and other raw minerals.
According to reports from China Securities Journal, the quotas have been awarded to Chengxin Lithium, which operates the Sabi Star Mine, and Sinomine Resources, the owner of Bikita Minerals—one of Zimbabwe’s main lithium assets.
The development follows a February directive by the Zimbabwean authorities suspending exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates, citing widespread leakages, under-invoicing, and non-compliance within the sector. The ban formed part of a broader push to tighten regulatory oversight and promote domestic value addition in the country’s fast-growing lithium industry.
Earlier this month, the government signalled a shift in approach, informing producers that exports could resume under a quota system tied to stricter conditions. These include mandatory increases in local processing and beneficiation, in line with Zimbabwe’s long-standing ambition to move up the mineral value chain.
Deputy Mines Minister Fred Moyo confirmed that allocations vary by producer, reflecting differences in production capacity and compliance levels. “Individual companies have received different export quota thresholds,” he said.
Zimbabwe remains Africa’s largest lithium producer and a critical supplier to China’s battery manufacturing sector. In 2025, the country exported approximately 1.128 million metric tonnes of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate to China, accounting for roughly 15% of Beijing’s total imports of the material.
For producers, the quota allocations appear to align broadly with operational capacity. Chengxin Lithium indicated that its annual output of around 290,000 metric tonnes in Zimbabwe is adequately covered under its assigned quota. Meanwhile, Sinomine Resources confirmed it had been granted a quota of 200,000 metric tonnes—equivalent to about one month’s production at its local operations.
However, not all industry players have been accommodated. Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, another major investor in Zimbabwe’s lithium sector, reportedly said it had not received any communication regarding quota allocations, raising questions about the criteria guiding the government’s decisions.
The selective issuance of export permits underscores Harare’s attempt to strike a delicate balance between attracting foreign investment—particularly from Chinese firms that dominate the sector—and asserting greater control over its mineral resources.
Analysts say the policy shift reflects a pragmatic recalibration rather than a full retreat, as authorities seek to curb revenue losses while avoiding disruptions to production and investor confidence in one of the country’s most strategic industries.
Source: NewZwire
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