According to zimbabwean sources, "in order to ensure the normal operation of the country's ferrochrome smelting industry, the cabinet has decided to ban the export of raw chromium ore with immediate effect." "The export ban on refined chromium powder will take effect in July 2022."
Zimbabwe has the world's second-largest chromium reserves after South Africa, and the mineral is expected to drive the vision of a $12 billion mining industry by 2023.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvanqwa announced the policy changes after a cabinet meeting yesterday.
"There are currently 22 smelters in operation and they are shared between nine foreign and local companies. Unless chromium mineral capacity is expanded, smelting operations may soon face the challenge of insufficient chromium ore feedstock."
'In view of the above need to protect the ferrochrome industry, the Cabinet approved a total ban on the export of raw chromium ore with immediate effect,' she said. The ban will strengthen the capacity of existing smelters and maximise the value chain achieved from the country's rich resources as outlined in the national development strategy.
"The Cabinet approved a total ban on the export of chromium concentrate from July 2022," minister Mutsvanqwa said.
The one-year transition is designed to give concentrate producers time to make appropriate arrangements to increase the value added to their production lines.
If the 22 smelters are unable to cope with the increased production of chromium, raw chromium could be allowed to be exported, but only one cargo at a time. The export of raw chromium minerals will only be allowed if all smelters are unable to accept and use the specific cargo, she said.
The ban on raw chromium exports was immediately endorsed by the legislature.
Mr Edmond Mkaratigwa, chairman of parliament's Mining and Mining development committee, said that this was a very important step, as chromium had been sold and discouraged local miners, and that the ban had to be driven by the government to promote value-added and mineral processing and any other mechanism that would help improve the livelihoods of miners who spent their time and Labour in the trenches.
South Africa, Turkey and Zimbabwe are among China's top three sources of chromium imports, according to Chinese customs data. Last year, China imported about 14.32 million tons of chromium ore, of which South Africa imported 11.72 million tons, accounting for 81.84 percent, and Zimbabwe imported about 570,000 tons, accounting for 3.98 percent, ranking third.
