Lithium beneficiation policy gets approval

Cabinet has approved the Lithium Ore Policy anchored on fostering the countryʼs beneficiation capacity as
well as maximising earnings from the countryʼs mineral endowment and put a stop to the export and
smuggling of lithium bearing ores.
This comes as Government takes the final steps in bringing order to the lithium industry which witnessed
a rush over the last two years with very little benefit to the economy as players took advantage of a lack of
a policy framework for the mineral to smuggle it out of the country.
Lithium, dubbed the “white gold” or “mineral of tomorrow”, is having a surge in international demand
owing to its usage in the manufacturing of electric vehicles as well as it being a key ingredient in the green
energy revolution that has gripped the world.
Zimbabwe is thus forging ahead with plans to make sure that mining plays its expected sectorial
midwifery role towards the attainment of an empowered upper-middle income economy as well as
sustaining the envisioned rapid economic growth as set by President Mnangagwa.
Addressing the Post Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister
Monica Mutsvangwa said a Statutory Instrument will soon be enacted to give legal effect to the new policy.
She said Cabinet approved the Lithium Ore Policy and a Statutory Instrument which will be issued on
Lithium, based on any individual or entity owing a lithium concession can mine lithium ores for either,
processing at its own Approved Processing Plant (APP), or for sale to those with APPs locally.
“Any individual and or entity wishing to process lithium ores will be required to construct an Approved
Processing Plant locally, ore movement permits for lithium ores will only be issued where such ores are
destined for a local Approved Processing Plant.
“Lithium ores can only be stored at the mining site where such ores were mined, or at an approved for
local Approved Processing Plant, any entity will require a Lithium Ore Purchase Licence to buy ores from
miners. A local Approved Processing Plant will be a condition for getting the Lithium Ore Purchase
Licence.
“All players in the lithium sector, whether miners or holders of Approved Processing Plant, shall submit a
summary of monthly reconciliations of ore movements to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
“For any material to qualify as a concentrate for approval for export, it shall meet the minimum set
technical specifications and the minimum selling price as set by the Minerals Marketing Corporation of
Zimbabwe on a regular basis,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Cabinet, said Minister Mutsvangwa, also agreed on the setting up of an inter-ministerial and inter
departmental team to carry out a Responsible Mining Audit.
The audit to be carried out in May and June comes as Government moves to foster responsible mining.
“Cabinet agreed that for a period of two months, May and June 2023, a Responsible Mining audit will be
conducted countrywide,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“The objective of the Initiative is to ensure that all mining operations are conducted in accordance with
the countryʼs laws.
“The audit team will comprise members from the following ministries, departments and agencies: Mines
and Mining Development; Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development; Local Government
and Public Works; Energy and Power Development; Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality
Industry; Departments of Immigration; and Labour; the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority; the Environmental
Management Agency; and the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
“The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development will coordinate the audit which is set to start on 10 May,
2023,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Minister Mutsvangwa also advised that Zimbabwe will next month host the Kimberly Process
Intersessional Meeting in Victoria Falls.
The hosting comes as Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando last year assumed the
chairmanship of the Kimberly Process.
The assumption of the chairmanship by Minister Chitando and the continued warming up of the scheme
to Zimbabwe is yet another example of the success of the re-engagement process initiated and led by
President Mnangagwa.