Zimbabwe on Wednesday announced an immediate moratorium on the export of raw minerals and lithium concentrate, a move aimed at forcing domestic processing and increasing national revenue.

Mining Minister Polite Kambamura said in a statement that the ban applies even to materials currently in transit.

He said, “Government expects cooperation of the mining industry on this measure which has been taken in the national interest.”

The move follows sustained criticism of the government’s handling of its mineral wealth.

Critics accuse officials of allowing Chinese investors to ship raw lithium directly to China for processing, thereby denying the country the economic benefit of processing it domestically.

Lithium has become a critical global commodity due to its essential role in the production of electric vehicles and mobile phones.

Zimbabwe holds significant reserves of gold, lithium, platinum and diamonds.

In 2023, the country also announced the discovery of natural gas near its northern border with Mozambique and Zambia. 

(Xinhua/NAN)