Post #578

🔴Drawing Red Lines🔴 Zimbabwe has just imposed an immediate ban on exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates — Why now? 🌐 On Wednesday, the Zimbabwean mines ministry suddenly announced an immediate ban on exports of raw ores and lithium concentrates, citing “malpractices” and export leakages. ⏩Generally speaking, this decision came out of the blue — up to the moment of its announcement by the minister of mines, the official policy was less ambitious: to halt lithium concentrates exports by 2027. No "raw ores" and no "immediately", which is why the current ban was not expected, the processing facilities had no chance to be prepared. 🔸In the official communiqué the mines ministry explicitly sets forth 2 main requirements for corporations willing to resume exports: 1)to get rid of traders, agents and middlemen when selling and exporting minerals; 2) to report on progress in the field of mineral beneficiation. 🔸So, the new ban seems more like a bargaining position, and not a new permanent policy course. The Zim government has long demanded local processing, and in 2025 it even set the aforementioned 2027 deadline for lithium concentrates — however, only one major lithium plant has been built since then. 🔸Besides obscure behind the scenes considerations that can never be ruled out, only the desire to demonstrate the seriousness of the government's demands seems to be a sound explanation of the sudden ban. Probably, as soon as the corporations set out clear timelines for processing build-up, the exports will be resumed. However, until then the situation also risks triggering massive layoffs — particularly if the government won't show flexibility toward minor companies that cannot afford building a plant of their own. This factor may well be exploited by corporations unwilling to obey the government's demands. ✈️ Stay informed - @devilsbelow