Zimbabwe Issues New Resource Control Order: Immediate Ban on Antimony and Tungsten Exports

September 8 - Zimbabwe has immediately banned the export of antimony and tungsten, as part of the government's efforts to push mining companies to process raw materials locally. According to a letter from Mines Minister Winston Chitando to the state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation, which handles sales of all minerals except gold and silver, the transport of ore and concentrates has also been suspended. The letter, dated July 21, has been confirmed by the Ministry of Mines. Like other African nations including Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe is seeking to extract greater value from its natural resources. Zimbabwe suspended lithium concentrate exports in February to promote local processing of high-value products and curb illegal shipments of lithium. That export restriction was eased in April, with the current ban set to take effect in 2027.