• Immediate nationwide ban on all raw mineral exports with no exemptions for shipments already in transit, enforced by ZIMRA and MMCZ to eliminate malpractices
• Export rights now strictly conditional on holding valid mining titles + operating approved in-country beneficiation/processing plants, third-party agents and traders are completely barred from the export chain
• Short-term revenue hit of ~US$1–1.2 billion expected, but long-term strategy aims to replicate PGM matte success (71% value increase in 2025) across lithium, chrome and other minerals

Harare- The Government has suspended exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates with immediate effect according to a decisive step announced on February 25, 2026. This policy, spearheaded by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development under Minister Polite Kambamura, marks a significant escalation in the country's push for in-country beneficiation and value addition.

The suspension covers all unprocessed or raw forms of minerals including platinum group metals (PGM) concentrates, chrome ore concentrates, nickel concentrates, and other base minerals along with lithium concentrates such as spodumene.

It applies even to shipments already in transit and will remain in force until further notice. In a statement and press conference in Harare, Minister Kambamura described the measure as being in the national interest, aimed at addressing longstanding malpractices, leakages, smuggling, and inefficiencies in export systems while enhancing compliance, accountability, and greater domestic value retention from Zimbabwe's mineral resources.

He called for full cooperation from the mining industry and promised future stakeholder engagements to clarify new expectations and implementation.

The decision builds on recent ministry warnings. On February 17, 2026, a letter to miners and the Chamber of Mines cited widespread malpractices during mineral exports, including smuggling and misdeclaration, and signalled forthcoming actions to realign export processes and frameworks for all minerals and beneficiated products.

It warned of temporary disruptions as government departments adjusted operations. The immediate suspension now delivers on that commitment, bringing those disruptions into effect and impacting producers across the sector, especially lithium operators amid sustained global demand for battery materials.

Enforcement falls to regulatory bodies such as the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), with strict requirements and no exemptions.

Under the new rules, exports are strictly limited. Only mining companies with valid titles and approved beneficiation plants may export. Agents and third-party traders are explicitly barred from the export chain. Permit applications must include a recommendation from the relevant Provincial Mining Office, details of beneficiation capacity, compliance status, and mineral composition declarations.

The ministry reserves the right to verify consignments through testing, with non-compliant exports subject to confiscation and violators risking loss of permits and mining rights.

Zimbabwe's mining sector is central to the economy, with minerals accounting for over 70% of total export proceeds and gold alone contributing almost 50% of all exports. MMCZ exports (excluding gold and silver) reached 4.9 million tonnes valued at US$3.4 billion in 2025, a 61% increase in volume and 14% rise in value from 2024's 3.03 million tonnes worth US$2.9 billion.

Total mining revenues, including gold, exceeded US$7 billion in 2025, driven by record gold output and strong performances in other minerals. Gold, processed domestically into semi-manufactured gold, saw production rise to 46.7 tonnes in 2025, generating over US$4 billion in revenue.

Key MMCZ minerals showed varied trends in 2025. PGM concentrates sales fell sharply to 73,506 metric tonnes worth US$306 million, down 52% in volume and 44% in value from 153,957 tonnes valued at US$549 million in 2024, due to a deliberate shift toward beneficiation via toll-processing into higher-value PGM matte.

PGM matte exports rose to 37,194 metric tonnes generating US$1.5 billion, a 71% increase in value from 2024, supported by higher volumes and stronger prices. Lithium sales reached 1,522,893.93 metric tonnes valued at US$571.6 million, outperforming volume and revenue targets by 33% and 10%, respectively.

Ferro-alloys (primarily high-carbon ferrochrome) totalled 433,293 metric tonnes worth US$372 million, up 19% in volume and 11% in value, with high-carbon ferrochrome contributing 427,444 tonnes at US$365 million. Chrome ore concentrates sales were 886,752 metric tonnes generating US$150 million, with volumes stable but revenue down 12% due to lower prices.

Emerging steel exports from the Manhize plant climbed to 146,314 metric tonnes worth US$92.1 million, a 450% value increase from 2024.

The suspension targets raw and semi-raw exports, which in 2025 included lithium concentrates (US$571.6 million), PGM concentrates (US$306 million), chrome concentrates (US$150 million), and nickel concentrates, totalling approximately US$1-1.2 billion or roughly 30-35% of MMCZ revenues and 10-15% of overall exports.

Short-term effects include immediate revenue losses, disruptions to forex inflows, pressure on the mineral-backed Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency, potential 1-2% GDP contraction, and risks to jobs for 5,000-10,000 workers in raw-dependent operations.

MMCZ projects US$3.5 billion in revenues for 2026, supported by a positive platinum outlook, but the ban could challenge this if beneficiation capacity does not ramp up quickly.

Zimbabwean miners are moderately prepared for the transition. Lithium sector advancements are strong, with Chinese-led investments exceeding US$1.4 billion since 2021, including Huayou Cobalt's US$400 million sulphate plant at Arcadia (expected online early 2026, capacity 50,000-60,000 tonnes annually) and Sinomine's US$500 million Bikita facility.

For PGMs, the shift to matte via toll-processing demonstrates growing readiness, with Zimplats investing US$190 million in refinery rehabilitation. Ferrochrome remains largely value-added.

However, broader sector preparedness varies: enforcement capacity, skill development, and infrastructure for other minerals lag, with full beneficiation potentially requiring US$2-5 billion over 3-5 years.

Government incentives, including tax breaks, VAT moratoriums, and duty removals on capital equipment aim to accelerate progress, aligning with the National Development Strategy's emphasis on value addition.

This policy accelerates Zimbabwe's resource nationalism, rejecting dependency on raw commodity exports to foster industrialization, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.

While short-term challenges may strain forex and stability, the long-term potential for higher revenues from processed products, like PGM matte and lithium sulphate positions the country for greater economic empowerment.

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