Zimbabwe to Ban Export of Unprocessed Chrome Ore and Chrome Concentrate

A cabinet minister has stated that the Zimbabwean government plan to ban the export of chrome concentrate from as early as July 1, 2022, in a bid to push businesses to invest in beneficiation facilities.

Second to South Africa, Zimbabwe boasts the second-largest reserves of high-grade chromium ore with deposits of ~10 billion tonnes, according to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development. To put this into perspective, this is equivalent to about 12% of the global total.

As said by the Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube:

“Government will enforce the ban on export of unprocessed chrome ore and chrome concentrates, while export of chrome concentrates will be banned with effect from July 1, 2022. Going forward, awarding of chrome mining claims will be dependent upon the setting up of integrated chrome mining and ferrochrome smelting by prospective mining houses.”

Ncube also stated that to realise the maximum value from the country’s minerals, the Zimbabwean Government would also need to target beneficiation through the setting up of gold processing, as well as mining service centres and facilitate establishment of more diamond cutting and polishing factories.

The minister added that the Government supports the private sector to establish a BMR (Base Metal Refinery), and that going forward, the issuing of coal permits to mining companies will depend on establishment of coke oven batteries.

As far as legislation goes, Government is giving priority to completing the revision of the Minerals and Minerals Law in order for it to be in line with the international best practices.

The Zimbabwean government has also adjusted their policies to further encourage international companies to build factories and invest in Zimbabwe.