On May 22, 2023, the Zimbabwean government, led by Mines and Mining Development Minister Polite Kambamura, announced the designation of lithium and other high-value minerals as critical minerals, subject to new shareholding and export controls. The newly classified critical minerals include nickel, cobalt, graphite, copper, rare earth elements, chrome, platinum group metals, manganese, antimony, uranium, ruthenium, tungsten, and niobium. Additionally, metallurgical coal has been classified as a special critical mineral. Other resources such as limestone, potash, phosphorus, iron ore, pyrites, oil, gas, coal, gold, and diamonds are now considered strategic minerals. The classification aims to address supply chain vulnerabilities and enhance local employment through downstream beneficiation. Kambamura emphasized that the government will maintain a mandatory minimum shareholding in the exploitation of these minerals via designated special-purpose vehicles. Furthermore, strict export controls will be implemented, prohibiting the export of any classified minerals in their raw or unbeneficiated form without ministerial authorization, which will require a transitional plan outlining a timeline for local processing beyond the concentrate stage.