Slow sulphate plant construction complicating Zimbabwe export licence decision Slow progress at two lithium sulphate production facilities is likely to force the Zimbabwean governm
Slow progress at two lithium sulphate production facilities is likely to force the Zimbabwean government's hand in handling a lithium concentrate export ban planned for the end of this year. The government had made resumption of suspended hard rock lithium exports conditional on firm commitments to bring lithium sulphate production in-country, with a nominal deadline of January 2027. A number of mines appear unlikely to achieve that deadline.
Why it matters: This illustrates the critical minerals theme of using export controls to compel domestic processing capacity.