PREMIER African Minerals Limited says it expects to resume lithium exports soon after industry consultations and regulatory clarification from the government following the suspension of shipments earlier this year.
In February, the government halted the export of lithium concentrates and other raw minerals, including consignments already in transit, as authorities pushed for increased local beneficiation and value retention from the country’s vast lithium resources.
The move forms part of broader efforts to ensure Zimbabwe captures greater value from its critical minerals, amid concerns that the country has been exporting lithium cheaply while foreign processors reap far higher returns.
Local lithium producers are earning significantly less from the mineral, with Zimbabwe exporting raw lithium at around US$375 per tonne, while processed lithium products can fetch as much as US$20 314 per tonne on international markets.
Using last year’s export volumes of 1,52 million tonnes as an example, processed lithium output would shrink to roughly 152 000 to 227 000 tonnes, but at prices exceeding US$20 000 per tonne, potentially generating billions of dollars in additional revenue.
In a statement, Premier said recent policy developments suggested exports could soon resume under a regulated framework.
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“The company notes recent developments in Zimbabwe’s lithium export policy following the government’s February 2026 decision to suspend exports of lithium concentrates and other raw minerals in order to promote in-country beneficiation and address regulatory concerns,” Premier said.
“Subsequent industry engagement and regulatory clarification indicate that exports are expected to resume under a controlled framework, with approvals and quotas being granted to qualifying producers that meet specified criteria, including compliance with local processing and regulatory requirements.”
Under the new conditions, mining companies must provide written commitments to establish
beneficiation facilities that separate all economic minerals before export.
They are also required to develop lithium sulphate plants by January 2027, establish internationally accredited laboratories and on-site assay labs within three months, fully declare all minerals in export consignments, and publish annual financial statements from December 2025.
Premier said it supported the new regulatory approach.
“Premier welcomes this pragmatic approach, which supports the continued development of Zimbabwe’s lithium sector while recognising the importance of enabling established producers to export concentrate under defined conditions,” the company said.
The group added that installation of its Xinhai flotation plant at the Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project was progressing well.
Earlier this year, Premier signed a procurement, installation and commissioning contract with Xinhai Technology Processing subsidiary Thriving Engineering Private Limited to install a spodumene flotation plant at the project.
The plant will upgrade raw lithium ore by separating valuable spodumene from impurities such as quartz and feldspar using water, reagents and air bubbles.
“Over the past several weeks, work has primarily focused on labour-intensive, site-based fabrication activities, including the construction of overflow launders, walkways and interconnecting pipework between flotation cells, as well as installation of large-diameter air supply piping,” Premier said.
“Due to the design of the new Xinhai flotation plant, these components are required to be fabricated on site, and this work has been carried out by the Zulu Lithium engineering team under the supervision and guidance of a specialist installation engineer from Xinhai Technology Processing.”