Zimbabwe on a beneficiation drive

Zimbabwe’s mining sector is driving demand for project cargo services for both mine expansion and beneficiation. Mineral exports reached $3.4 billion in 2025, a 14% increase from the previous year. At the same time, the government is enforcing a transition from bulk ore exports to high-value beneficiation. In February, the government banned the export of raw minerals and lithium concentrates. The ban includes all categories of unprocessed minerals – including lithium ore, chrome, nickel and platinum group metals. Then, in April, the Zimbabwe cabinet approved the Minerals Value Chain: From Mining to Beneficiation, Industrialisation and Exportation framework. Presented by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, the plan was based on four pillars, President Emmerson Mnangagwa told a media briefing. The first is mineral-specific architecture and mandatory standards, which sets out legally binding minimum processing standards, including mandatory requirements for the issuance of export permits. Second is a decentralised network of specialised analytical hubs for mineral certification, which will be co-located at national universities/ scientific institutions, with each institution serving as a dedicated referee for specific mineral clusters within the region. The mine- to-market operational control system pillar will focus on smart tracking of mineral exports to secure value by preventing leakages and fraud through the adoption of a secure and real- time “mine-to- market” smart corridor. Fourthly, new investors will be directed to eight specialised regional mineral hubs where they can share infrastructure and scale operations efficiently. If rolled out successfully, the plan will attract large-scale investment in the mineral hubs, as well as in supporting infrastructure. Mnangagwa said the four pillars would be supported by key enablers, including reliable energy and affordable power supply incorporating energy self-generation incentives for beneficiation projects. While the investments will require large-scale project cargo support, operators will want to see real progress before investing in equipment and resources. An earlier mega government project, the Mines-to-Energy (Mapinga) industrial park value-addition complex along the Great Dyke, is reported to have stalled. This is due to the main Chinese investor pulling out due to delays in land allocation and finance challenges, according to former Mines Ministry Permanent Secretary Pfungwa Kunaka. It was to have included a lithium salt plant, graphite processing, nickel-chromium alloy smelter, nickel sulphate plant, coking facilities and two 300 MW power stations to support energy-intensive processing. If more successful this time round, the Zimbabwean drive to add value to its minerals will see the region’s ports bidding against each other for the project cargo business. While Beira handles the bulk of exports, Durban is currently the primary gateway for heavy mining equipment. It will face competition from Beira, Walvis Bay and possibly Maputo. ER