THE Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (Zimcodd) has commended the government’s new lithium framework aimed at retaining more value from the mineral, amid concerns that Zimbabwe has been losing billions of United States dollars annually through raw lithium exports.
Building on the raw lithium export ban introduced in February, the government last week imposed further conditions aimed at maximising local value addition from the mineral.
The measures are intended to curb the export of raw lithium and push mining companies to invest in local processing and beneficiation, enabling Zimbabwe to capture more revenue from one of its most strategic minerals while improving transparency and labour standards in the sector.
As first reported by our sister publication, the Zimbabwe Independent, foreign firms were reportedly earning windfall gains of up to 53 times the value of Zimbabwe’s raw lithium exports.
Using last year as an example, Zimbabwe exported 1,52 million tonnes of lithium, generating US$571,56 million — an average of about US$375 per tonne.
However, processing the raw mineral — which generally involves stages such as acid leaching, impurity removal and crystallisation — typically yields lithium recovery rates of around 85–90%.
Keep Reading
- Groups want Chinese penalised
- ZRP pays heavily for abuse
- State weaponising law against civil society, CCC
- Mnangagwa under fire over crackdown
While the exported tonnage would effectively reduce to about 152 000 to 227 000 tonnes after processing, current global lithium carbonate prices are about US$20 000 per tonne. This translates into potential revenues of between US$3,65 billion and US$4,61 billion.
“The government has issued a framework of conditions that mining companies must meet before the ban can be lifted,” Zimcodd said in a statement.
“Zimcodd views these conditions as a necessary and long overdue step towards cleaning up a sector historically characterised by opacity, elite capture and the quiet export of national wealth. However, conditions on paper are not the same as conditions on the ground.”
The new conditions include requiring mining firms to provide written undertakings to establish beneficiation facilities to separate all economic minerals before export, develop lithium sulphate plants by January 2027, and set up internationally accredited laboratories alongside on-site assay labs within three months.
The measures also mandate the full declaration of all minerals in export consignments and the publication of annual financial statements from December 2025.
In addition, export quotas will be allocated on a producer-by-producer basis to control volumes, while companies must commit to improving worker welfare.
Authorities have also indicated that any future lithium investments will be assessed on a case-by-case basis under the new regulatory framework.
However, Zimcodd warned that the success of the framework will depend on effective implementation and oversight.
“The true test lies in implementation, oversight and whether the benefits finally reach ordinary Zimbabweans, especially the women, youth and rural communities who live in the shadows of the mines,” the organisation said.
Zimcodd added that improved labour standards could restore the dignity, safety and livelihoods of thousands of mine workers, particularly those in marginalised communities.
“Decent wages and working conditions can reduce poverty, strengthen household welfare and stimulate local economies,” the organisation said.
“Beneficiation and value addition ensure that Zimbabwe captures more value from its lithium — as the country holds Africa’s largest lithium reserves — instead of exporting raw ore at rock-bottom prices while importing finished goods. This aligns with the Value Addition and Beneficiation pillar of NDS2 and Vision 2030.”
On transparency, Zimcodd said audited financial statements, export disclosures and production data would help curb illicit financial flows.
Canadian law firm McCarthy Tétrault noted that Zimbabwe’s move reflects a broader continental trend.
“Zimbabwe’s decision draws attention to a wider trend in Africa to limit exports to encourage local value addition. Namibia approved a ban in mid-2023 on shipping unprocessed critical minerals — including lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite and rare earths — to promote domestic refining,” the law firm said.
“The Democratic Republic of Congo has likewise on occasion suspended exports of unrefined cobalt. Malawi recently paused the export of unprocessed mineral ores pending a sector review. Since 2023, Mali has tightened government control and increased state stakes in mining projects through implementation of a mining code and the creation of a ministerial-level role to oversee the mining sector.”
It added that Burkina Faso has also restricted certain gold exports to combat smuggling and boost local refining, while Guinea revoked several mining licences in 2025.