By Nigel Pfunde
HARARE – Government has declared lithium, Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), gold and diamonds as critical and strategic minerals requiring compulsory State shareholding in all mining projects and banning raw ore exports without a government-approved beneficiation plan,Express Mail Zim can report.
The policy shift was announced on May 22 by Mines and Mining Development Minister Hon. Dr. Engineer Polite Kambamura.
He said the classification takes effect immediately.
“We are no longer going to export our jobs and value in the form of raw rocks. From today (May 22) no lithium, no PGM, no gold leaves this country unless it has been beneficiated to levels approved by my ministry,” Kambamura said.
Under the Schedule attached to the official gazette, the State will hold compulsory shareholding in all projects involving the listed minerals. Raw ore exports are prohibited unless covered by a strict government beneficiation plan.
The new classification is designed to end the country’s role as a supplier of unprocessed minerals to foreign industries, the Minister said.
