00:00Zimbabwe fast-tracked the entry of Oban on raw lithium export last week after mining companies engaged in an unexpected
00:08scramble to export ahead of the planned entry into force, the government said Tuesday.
00:14Securing access to rare earths and other strategic minerals has become a global priority given their batteries, green energy systems,
00:23military equipment and many other goods.
00:26This has prompted many exporting nations to tighten controls, in part to capture more economic value by processing the minerals.
00:34Zimbabwe last Wednesday announced an immediate ban on export of all raw materials and lithium concentrates until further notice.
00:42The export ban had originally been scheduled to start in January 2027, a deadline the government hoped would push mining
00:49companies to begin processing and refining the mineral locally.
00:53The government also received reports that large quantities of lithium has been illicitly stockpiled in a neighboring country.
01:01Zimbabwe is Africa's largest lithium producer and has among the world's largest reserves according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
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