Tanzania has announced plans to ban the export of unprocessed lithium, effective from 31 May 2024.
The government outlined the export license process, stating that mining companies are required to establish in-country refining facilities alongside their respective operations. Export licenses will thereafter be issued once the value of mined minerals increases by at least 5%.
The ban aims to maximize value addition across the country’s critical mineral industry through the development of downstream infrastructure, thereby consolidating Tanzania’s position as a prominent player in global supply chains.
The development comes at a time when Tanzania’s lithium mining industry is experiencing a surge in foreign investments as the demand for critical minerals such as lithium increases rapidly in global markets.