Yesha
Senior Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 100
- 45
Zimbabwe says it is earning significantly more from its mineral resources after introducing a ban on the export of unprocessed minerals, a move aimed at keeping more value within the country.
According to Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura, mining export earnings rose from US$1.3 billion to US$2.5 billion between February and June 2026, an increase of about 85 percent compared to the same period last year.
The growth follows a government policy requiring mining companies to process and add value to minerals locally before export, rather than shipping raw ore abroad. Officials say this has resulted in higher-value exports and increased foreign currency earnings.
Dr Kambamura said the results show that local beneficiation and value addition can help African countries earn more from their natural resources, create jobs and support industrial development.
The minister said Zimbabwe has no plans to reverse the policy, arguing that exporting finished or semi-processed minerals generates greater economic benefits than exporting raw materials.
For decades, many African countries have exported raw minerals while much of the processing and manufacturing took place overseas. Zimbabwe's policy reflects a growing push across the continent for nations to retain a larger share of the value generated from their mineral wealth.
The government says the ban on raw mineral exports is part of a broader strategy to boost industrialisation, increase export earnings and ensure the country's natural resources contribute more directly to national development.
Source: The Herald Zimbabwe
According to Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura, mining export earnings rose from US$1.3 billion to US$2.5 billion between February and June 2026, an increase of about 85 percent compared to the same period last year.
The growth follows a government policy requiring mining companies to process and add value to minerals locally before export, rather than shipping raw ore abroad. Officials say this has resulted in higher-value exports and increased foreign currency earnings.
Dr Kambamura said the results show that local beneficiation and value addition can help African countries earn more from their natural resources, create jobs and support industrial development.
The minister said Zimbabwe has no plans to reverse the policy, arguing that exporting finished or semi-processed minerals generates greater economic benefits than exporting raw materials.
For decades, many African countries have exported raw minerals while much of the processing and manufacturing took place overseas. Zimbabwe's policy reflects a growing push across the continent for nations to retain a larger share of the value generated from their mineral wealth.
The government says the ban on raw mineral exports is part of a broader strategy to boost industrialisation, increase export earnings and ensure the country's natural resources contribute more directly to national development.
Source: The Herald Zimbabwe
