Zimbabwe's mining Minister Winston Chitando expressed hope on Wednesday that lithium miners operating in the country would be able to produce battery-grade lithium locally and that a tax on lithium concentrate exports could be imposed in the future, Mining.com reported, citing Reuters.
In an effort to crack down on mining abuses and artisanal smuggling, Zimbabwe's government last year banned the export of unprocessed lithium ore and ordered that lithium concentrate be exported only. Now the government wants miners to produce more than just concentrate.
"The government wants to upgrade the industry chain, but it can't happen overnight." Chitando told the annual meeting of the Mining Association of Zimbabwe. He added that some companies already have plans to eventually produce battery-grade lithium locally. "As a government, once we have an entity that can move beyond lithium concentrate to a higher stage, there will be two scenarios: in the extreme case, we will ban the export of lithium concentrate, which is unlikely; In the other case, we will impose export taxes." "He said.
