China’s Sichuan Yahua Industrial Group has secured a six-month lithium export quota from Zimbabwe, breaking a two-month freeze that threatened global battery supply chains. The southern African nation, Africa’s largest lithium producer, had halted exports in February to combat what it described as malpractice and leakage. However, it is now cautiously reopening the gates for firms that commit to local processing. Yahua joins fellow Chinese giants Chengxin Lithium and Sinomine Resources in this exclusive group, ensuring that production at the massive Kamativi Mine stays on track. The move reflects Zimbabwe’s broader push to capture more value from its mineral wealth. With Zimbabwe providing roughly 15% of China’s lithium concentrates last year, the resumption of exports, albeit with quotas, is essential for the global electric vehicle race.
CNBC Africa
