Zimbabwe Grants Lithium Export Quotas To Two Chinese Mining Firms

Two months after banning lithium concentrate exports, Zimbabwe has granted export quotas to two Chinese mining companies.

The quotas were awarded to Chengxin Lithium, which operates Sabi Star Mine, and Sinomine Resources, which runs Bikita Minerals, according to state media outlet China Securities Journal on Monday.

Chengxin Lithium said its lithium concentrate production capacity in Zimbabwe is about 290,000 metric tons annually, adding that the quota allocated was sufficient to meet production needs. Sinomine Resources said it had received a quota of 200,000 metric tons, roughly equivalent to its monthly output in Zimbabwe, the report said.

The move follows the Government’s abrupt decision in late February to suspend exports of lithium concentrates and other raw minerals.

The ban was introduced to curb revenue leakages and encourage miners to invest in local processing.

However, under revised guidelines introduced this month, authorities have begun allowing controlled exports through a quota system subject to strict conditions, effectively reopening the sector on a selective basis.

Under the new framework, export permits are issued on a case-by-case basis, with companies required to meet tighter regulatory requirements, including financial transparency, environmental compliance and adherence to labour standards.

Firms must also commit to establishing lithium sulphate processing plants in Zimbabwe by January 2027, as part of a broader strategy to shift from exporting raw spodumene to higher-value battery materials.

A 10% export tax on lithium concentrates remains in place during the transition period, while the Government maintains that a full ban on raw lithium exports will take effect in 2027.

In 2025, Zimbabwe exported 1.128 million metric tons of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate to China, accounting for about 15% of China’s lithium concentrate imports for the year.

More: NewsDay