Chinese firms operating lithium mines in Zimbabwe denied any role in the smuggling that triggered the raw mineral export ban.
Embassy Defence
Embassy Defence
- Liu Yang blamed small unregistered operators for misusing legitimate company papers.
- Large Chinese investors have poured over two billion dollars into the sector since 2021.
- They possess proper export documents and face huge risks from any illegal activity.
- Major players focus instead on safeguarding their existing multi-million dollar stakes.
- The Second Secretary noted multiple past chances for authorities to stop the leakages.
- Formal enterprises stand ready to assist crackdowns if officials step up enforcement.
- Mines Minister Polite Kambamura cited widespread licence abuse and undeclared by-products.
- Permanent Secretary Pfungwa Kunaka highlighted losses of rare earths plus tantalum.
- Zimbabwe halted all raw lithium concentrate exports effective 25 February 2026.
- Smugglers reportedly declared high-grade ore as waste to avoid treasury payments.
- The country received only seven percent of the real value from its lithium resources.
- Finger-pointing now targets shadowy small-scale actors using repeated permits.
