Zimbabwe has announced an immediate ban on the export of all raw minerals, including lithium concentrate, as part of efforts to tighten state control over resources that are pivotal for global clean energy and defense industries. The announcement was made by Mines Minister Polite Kambamura, who emphasized that the government expects cooperation from the mining sector as this measure has been implemented in the national interest. The ban extends to all minerals that are currently in transit and will remain in effect until further notice. This decision is part of a broader global trend, as countries aim to secure their supplies of rare earth elements and strategic minerals necessary for the production of smartphones, green energy technologies, and military hardware. Many mineral-producing nations are increasingly tightening their control over supply chains, reflecting the growing importance of these resources in a competitive international market. The Zimbabwean government also stated that the ban aims to enhance 'transparency, in-country value addition, and beneficiation' of mineral exports. Originally, a ban on lithium concentrates was set to be enforced in January 2027, signaling a shift towards increasing local processing and minimizing raw mineral export reliance, aligning with the global push for sustainable resource management and economic self-sufficiency in the country.