HARARE, April 14 – Zimbabwe has begun issuing export quotas for lithium concentrates to Chinese mining firms, signaling a partial easing of restrictions imposed earlier this year on raw mineral shipments.
Sichuan Yahua Industrial Group said it has secured a six-month export quota, which will support continued operations at its Kamativi Mine as it moves to resume shipments.
The development follows similar approvals granted to Chengxin Lithium Group and Sinomine Resource Group, both of which operate lithium assets in Zimbabwe.
Harare suspended exports of lithium concentrates and other unprocessed minerals in February, citing concerns over malpractice and revenue leakages. Authorities have since outlined a new framework requiring producers to meet stricter conditions, including commitments to invest in domestic processing capacity.
The southern African nation remains Africa’s largest lithium producer and a key supplier to China, which dominates global battery supply chains. In 2025, Zimbabwe exported about 1.13 million tons of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate to China, accounting for roughly 15% of its imports of the material.
Another major investor, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, said it had not yet received formal notice regarding export quotas, according to state media.
The quota system marks a shift toward tighter state control of strategic minerals, as Zimbabwe seeks to capture more value from its lithium resources while maintaining its role in global supply chains.
