Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe’s mining and economic policy direction took a bold turn yesterday, with Cabinet unveiling sweeping measures aimed at enhancing local beneficiation and curbing the export of raw minerals.
The new policies, which include tighter controls on chrome and lithium exports, have received widespread commendation from economists and mining experts who say the decisions are crucial for unlocking sustainable national development.
Under the new directives, issuance of new chrome mining titles exceeding 100 hectares will now be tied to the expansion or development of furnace capacity.
Cabinet also reaffirmed the long-standing ban on the export of raw chrome ore and emphasized the urgent need to build a robust local ferrochrome industry.
“The linkage between mining titles and furnace capacity is a game-changer. For too long, Zimbabwe has exported wealth in its raw form. This directive forces investors to commit to real value addition, which means more jobs, increased energy usage, and higher tax revenues," said Dr. Vimbai Mashiri, an economist and industrial policy analyst.
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development will also intensify implementation of the “use it or lose it” principle, targeting unutilized claims, particularly in the chrome sector.
“This measure will finally clear out speculative holders sitting on vast tracts of idle chrome claims. It opens the space for serious players who are ready to invest in infrastructure, not just dig and export,” said mining consultant Tawanda Ganje.
Cabinet also made far-reaching pronouncements on the lithium sub-sector. With Zimbabwe producing mainly spodumene ores—key in global energy transition technologies—the Government announced that from January 2027, the export of lithium concentrate will be banned.
Bikita Minerals and Arcadia Lithium are already establishing value addition facilities to process lithium sulphate locally.
“This is a forward-thinking policy. The global demand for lithium is soaring, and Zimbabwe must position itself not just as a supplier of raw material, but as a player in the battery manufacturing value chain," said Dr. Rudo Muchenje, a geologist.
Economists say these measures will lead to the growth of secondary industries, improve trade balances, and boost foreign currency reserves.
“The multiplier effect from local beneficiation is immense. Cabinet’s stance marks a clear shift towards industrial sovereignty. It’s a brave, smart move that puts Zimbabwe firmly on the path to middle-income status," added Dr. Muchenje.
With the mining sector contributing over 60 percent of export earnings, experts agree the new policies could be pivotal in transforming Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth into broad-based economic prosperity.
