Zimbabwean authorities announced an immediate suspension of all raw mineral and lithium concentrate exports, including shipments already moving. This sudden directive replaces the previous January 2027 deadline, forcing miners to prioritize domestic processing and refining.

Polite Kambamura, the Minister in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, said that the measure protects national interests and addresses export malpractices. The ban aims to increase in-country value while ensuring transparency within the mining sector, which contributes 14.3% to the nation's GDP.

As a top global producer with 126 million tons of reserves, Zimbabwe recently received heavy Chinese investment. While lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate exports rose by 11% in 2025, the new policy creates sudden uncertainty for producers accustomed to a gradual transition.