Zimbabwe suspends the export of lithium concentrate and ore.

Zimbabwe has suspended the export of lithium concentrate and ore in order to encourage mining companies to establish processing operations in the country. The Zimbabwean Minister of Mines announced on Wednesday that the export ban will take immediate effect until further notice. Governments across Africa have been trying to force mining companies to refine minerals locally in order to gain greater economic benefits from their resources. According to official data, Zimbabwe has one of the largest lithium reserves in Africa and is also a major global producer, with estimated resources of 1.26 billion tons. The Zimbabwean Minister of Mines stated that the ban will only be lifted if miners comply with government requirements. Last year, the country announced plans to ban the export of lithium concentrate by 2027, as part of efforts to encourage foreign mining companies to develop refining operations locally.