Zimbabwe is pursuing ambitious plans to move beyond exporting raw minerals and build domestic industries for processing and manufacturing. However, as the government implements stricter controls on unprocessed mineral exports, smaller mining operations are voicing concerns about being excluded from the country's industrial transformation.

The government's strategy involves restricting exports of key unprocessed minerals, such as lithium, to incentivize domestic beneficiation. Officials assert that Zimbabwe must capture greater value from its mineral wealth rather than allowing other nations to profit from refining and downstream manufacturing.

This policy has reportedly spurred over $1 billion in investments within Zimbabwe's lithium sector, according to government and industry figures. Mines Minister Polite Kambamura highlighted the construction of Africa's first lithium sulphate plant in Zimbabwe as a testament to this progress, noting that the 2022 ban on unbeneficiated lithium ore exports has driven such investments.

Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ), owned by China's Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, reported its lithium carbonate plant is nearing completion. PLZ indicated that Huayou's investments have already generated more than $1.1 billion in foreign exchange for Zimbabwe and expanded the nation's lithium value chain.

Supporters of Zimbabwe's export restrictions argue that the country can no longer serve as a mere supplier of raw materials while other countries reap substantial profits from value-added processing. Public policy expert Tedious Ncube pointed to the lithium sector as a prime example of the government's focus on beneficiation.

Ncube cited investments at Arcadia Mine and Bikita Minerals as evidence of companies expanding Zimbabwe's lithium industry. He emphasized that domestic processing can foster skilled employment, bolster local supply chains, and enable Zimbabwe to retain a larger share of revenue derived from its mineral resources.

Despite these potential benefits, smaller miners express apprehension. They highlight significant challenges, including the substantial capital required for processing facilities, the unreliability of electricity supply, and limited access to financing, which could impede their ability to participate effectively in the nation's industrialization drive.

Zimbabwe's long-term aspirations extend beyond lithium sulphate and carbonate production, aiming to develop local industries capable of manufacturing products like lithium batteries and solar panels. The success of these broader goals may hinge on whether the government can ensure inclusive participation for all scales of mining operations.