ZIMBABWE MINING EXPORT PROCEDURE
Step-by-step guide to exporting mineral product from Zimbabwe: which authority signs what, the documents you must hold, royalty payable, and where deals get stuck at the border.
Authority and royalty
Regulator: Ministry of Mines & Mining Development and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA); Fidelity Printers & Refiners (gold). Royalty: Gold 5 % (large scale) / 1–3 % (small scale), platinum 7 %, lithium concentrate 5 %, diamonds 10 %.
Border and logistics
Common exit routes: Beitbridge → Durban; Forbes → Beira; Harare airport for precious. Gold must be sold to Fidelity unless export permit granted..
Documents required
Hold every one of these before booking the truck — missing any single document means the shipment sits at the border.
- Mining title & EMA certificate
- Export permit (Ministry of Mines)
- Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Form CD1 for foreign exchange
- ZIMRA Bill of Entry
- Independent assay
- Lithium: value-add proof since 2023 export ban on raw lithium ore
- Bill of Lading / AWB
Assay and valuation
Always use an internationally recognised assayer (SGS, Bureau Veritas, ALS). The buyer's in-house assay is for reference only — final settlement uses umpire assay clauses in the contract.
Common mistakes
Mistakes we see repeatedly:
- Exporting raw lithium ore (banned since Dec 2022 — must beneficiate)
- Not lodging CD1 with RBZ → forex retention penalty
- Selling gold outside Fidelity channel without explicit permit
Frequently asked questions
How long does export clearance take?
In Zimbabwe, typically 5–15 working days from application to signed export permit, plus 1–3 days customs at the border. Build a 3-week buffer into shipment planning.
Can I export without a refinery?
Most countries allow concentrate and DSO export. Some (Zimbabwe lithium, Indonesia nickel) now restrict raw ore to force domestic beneficiation. Check the latest rule before signing an offtake.
What if my assay differs from the buyer's?
Use the contract's umpire assay clause — a third independent lab whose result is binding. SGS and Bureau Veritas are the most-cited umpires in African mineral contracts.