Zimbabwe to Ban the Exports of Unprocessed Chrome Ore and Chrome Concentrate from July 1 2022

SHANGHAI, Dec 10 (SMM) - A cabinet minister stated that the government intends to ban the exports of chrome concentrate from July 1 next year to promote the company's investment in beneficiation facilities. Zimbabwe boasts the world's second largest reserves of high-grade chrome ore with reserves of approximately 10 billion mt, accounting for approximately 12% of the total.

The government issued a ban aimed at encouraging chrome miners to invest in beneficiation facilities last year.

Minister Ncube stated that the authorities will also target beneficiation by setting up gold processing and milling service centres, and promote the establishment of more diamond cutting and polishing factories in order to realise the maximum value of the country’s minerals. He added that the government also supports the private sector to establish a base metal refinery (BMR), and the issuance of coal permits to mining companies will now depend on the establishment of coke oven batteries.

It has also reserved resources for the recruitment and capacity allocation of mining extension personnel so that they can monitor and support mining activities at the provincial and regional levels.

In terms of legislation, the government is giving priority to completing the revision of the Minerals and Minerals Law so that it could be in line with international best practices.

The draft amendment has been completed and is currently under consideration in Parliament.

The news that Zimbabwe will ban the exports of chrome concentrates in 2022 has been further confirmed. In addition, the Zimbabwe government has adjusted its policies to encourage overseas companies to invest and build factories in Zimbabwe. Domestic stainless steel giant Tsingshan Group established a steel mill with an annual capacity of 2 million mt in May and its local subsidiary Afvochine has already produced ferrochrome.