Sinomine in Talks with Zimbabwe Over Lithium Export Ban as Government Pushes Local Processing
Chinese mining company Sinomine Resource Group has entered discussions with Zimbabwean authorities to resume lithium exports, following the government’s recent decision to halt shipments of lithium concentrates.
In a statement issued on Friday, Sinomine confirmed it is actively engaging with regulators regarding a new export application.
The response was made via an investor communications platform linked to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
Zimbabwe imposed a ban on the export of raw minerals and lithium concentrates in late February. The policy is part of a broader strategy to curb malpractice in the mining sector and promote in-country value addition by encouraging local processing and beneficiation of mineral resources.
Despite the regulatory shift, Sinomine indicated that the impact on operations at its Bikita lithium mine remains limited. The company did not elaborate on how it is mitigating the effects of the export restrictions.
Zimbabwe is one of Africa’s largest lithium producers, and the government has increasingly focused on maximizing economic returns from its mineral wealth by developing domestic refining capacity.
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