Policies

Base Minerals Export Control

Source: International Energy Agency
Last updated: 25 April 2025

Zimbabwe's Base Minerals Export Control (Unbeneficiated Base Mineral Ores) (Amendment) Order, 2023 (No. 1), Statutory Instrument 57 of 2023 is an amendment to Zimbabwe's Base Minerals Export Control Order which introduces stringent regulations for lithium mining, processing, and exportation, aimed at promoting domestic beneficiation and value addition.  Zimbabwe possesses significant lithium reserves, a critical component in the growing electric vehicle and renewable energy industries. The government seeks to maximise the economic benefits from this resource by encouraging local processing and limiting the export of raw, unbeneficiated lithium. This regulation aims to stimulate domestic lithium processing capabilities, potentially increasing Zimbabwe's economic gains from its mineral resources. It may attract investment in processing facilities while possibly reducing raw ore exports. 
The order redefines "base minerals" and introduces new terms related to lithium processing. The order introduces controls on lithium exports through the following mechanisms:

  1. Beneficiation requirements: Exports are only allowed for "beneficiated lithium", defined as lithium bearing ore with specific lithia content levels (3% or more for spodumene, 2.5% or above for petalite and lepidolite).
  2. Export permit system: No lithium can be exported without a permit. For beneficiated lithium, permits are granted only if the lithium meets the prescribed conditions and the selling price is not less than that set by the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe.
  3. Approved Processing Plants (APPs): Exporters must either operate their own APP or have a plan to construct one within two years of receiving an export permit.
  4. Ownership restrictions: Unbeneficiated lithium export permits are only granted to Zimbabwean citizens or entities wholly owned by Zimbabwean citizens.
  5. Presidential approval: Export permits for unbeneficiated lithium require the President's concurrence.

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