The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zimbabwe Resident Representative ,Dr. Ayodele Odusola, has called on Zimbabwe to prioritize mineral beneficiation to maximize economic gains instead of exporting raw minerals.
Speaking after a high-level UNDP Zimbabwe Programme Board meeting, Dr. Odusola emphasized the need to add value to key resources like gold, chrome, lithium, platinum, and diamonds.
Zimbabwe has introduced export bans on raw chrome (2021) and lithium (2022) to boost local processing, with some success seen in Bikita Minerals’ lithium plant and ZCDC’s diamond facility. However, challenges like power shortages, smuggling, and limited capital continue to hinder full beneficiation efforts.
