Zimbabwe declares nickel, copper, lithium as critical minerals

Zimbabwe has classified a range of minerals into critical, special critical and strategic categories, with the State mandated to take a minimum shareholding in the exploitation of critical minerals, according to a statement issued by Mines Minister Polite Kambamura on 22 May 2026.

He said the declaration was driven by increasing global demand for critical minerals to underpin the energy transition and the need for strategic planning of the country’s mineral resources.

Under the new framework, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, copper, rare earth elements, chrome, platinum group metals (PGMs), manganese, antimony, uranium, ruthenium, tungsten and niobium are declared critical minerals.

Metallurgical coal was designated as a special critical mineral.

Strategic minerals listed include limestone, potash, phosphorus, iron ore, pyrites, oil and gas, coal, gold and diamonds.

The minister said the classification is based on criteria including supply chain vulnerability, Zimbabwe’s significant reserves or production dominance, essentiality for domestic manufacturing and beneficiation, potential for job creation and economic benefits, and low occurrence but high value.

Key provisions state that through designated Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), the State shall exercise a mandatory minimum shareholding in the exploitation of these minerals.

He said no person shall export any listed mineral in raw or unbeneficiated form unless authorised under a conditional transitional plan approved by the minister with a specific timeline for local beneficiation beyond the concentrate stage.

“Applications for mining rights on these minerals shall be by prior approval of the Minister of Mines and Mining Development,” said Kambamura.