In Shamva, Zimbabwe, Brenda, a single mother of three, mines lithium ore in a surface mining area, alongside dozens of other artisanal miners. Zimbabwe has the world’s fifth-largest reserves of lithium, making it an important mineral export for the country. Brenda, like many others, has turned to lithium mining due to high unemployment rates and economic hardships, obtaining permits and licenses from authorities to mine the mineral.
In 2022, the Zimbabwean government banned the export of unprocessed raw lithium to increase revenue from the mineral by allowing only processed lithium to be exported. This move aimed to curb smuggling and increase the value of lithium exports. However, the ban had negative consequences for small-scale miners like Brenda, as the demand for processed lithium increased while raw lithium prices plummeted. As a result, Brenda’s profits decreased significantly, impacting her ability to provide for her family.
Brenda initially started in the mining industry buying and selling gemstones before venturing into lithium mining in 2014. She employs a team of workers to extract lithium ore, which is then sold to Chinese buyers who process it for export. However, miners like Brenda receive only a small percentage of the output value due to the long value chain dominated by secondary producers and global buyers. The ban on raw lithium exports further affected pricing and oversupply in the market.
China, the leading consumer of lithium, has been making deals in Zimbabwe to secure access to the mineral. Chinese companies have faced criticism for their operations in the country, with accusations of violating local communities’ rights, environmental damage, and evictions. The Chinese embassy in Harare has defended the companies, stating that they abide by Zimbabwean laws. However, locals like Brenda are concerned about the impact of Chinese mining operations on their livelihoods and communities.
To survive the effects of the raw lithium export ban and lower prices, Brenda has diversified her mining business to include other minerals like gemstones and base metals. She now trades as a travelling gemstone salesperson, cutting and polishing gemstones for jewelry supply throughout the country. Despite the challenges faced by artisanal miners in Zimbabwe’s lithium sector, Brenda remains positive and resilient in finding ways to sustain her mining business and provide for her family. Economic uncertainty and the influence of foreign miners like China continue to shape the lithium mining landscape in the region.
