Ban on lithium concentrates should begin now, says CNRG

PostAdmin June 17, 2025 in The law, Top Story - 2 Minutes

Trymore Tagwirei

The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has called for the immediate ban of lithium concentrate exports, claiming the country was losing a lot of revenue to exports of raw minerals.

The organisation also called for a moratorium on lithium concentrate exports to allow for an audit of mines’ compliance with environmental, social, and tax regulations.

On 10 June, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Winston Chitando communicated that the export of lithium concentrates would be banned commencing in 2027 to encourage mining companies to beneficiate the resource locally.

However, CNRG says the ban should commence immediately as the country could be depleted of the resource by that time.

“Although we acknowledge the government’s commitment to ending raw lithium exports, the delay in implementation undermines the potential for national economic transformation.

“A responsible government must act decisively and not allow its finite mineral resources to be exported for a pittance, with little public oversight,” CNRG said in a statement released on 11 June, 2025.

The natural resource watchdog said Zimbabwe should immediately take greater control of its resources for the benefit of its citizens.

“Lithium must not become another lost opportunity. Zimbabwe must take full control of its critical minerals, protect its people, and align its resource governance with the aspirations of its citizens not the short-term interests of foreign buyers and elite networks,” the statement reads.

Zimbabwe’s lithium mining companies currently export lithium mainly as spodumene and petalite concentrates which are basically crushed ore. The government, however, says by the beginning of year 2027, the concentrates should be processed further to become, at the very least, lithium sulphate before export.

CNRG also criticized the dominance of Chinese investors in Zimbabwe’s lithium sector, saying the situation exposed to the whims of one group of investors.

The organisation called for swift finalisation of amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act to ensure a transparent and accountable regulatory framework, emphasising the need for human rights protection, fair compensation, and genuine community consultation.