Shifting Global Mineral Landscape: Nations Tighten Export Controls, Presenting New Challenges for Chinese Firms Expanding Abroad

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According to China International Petroleum & Chemical, amidst the rapid growth of new energy and high-end manufacturing industries, critical minerals such as nickel, lithium, cobalt, manganese, and rare earths have become the "industrial staples" fueling industrial operations.

my country possesses a massive manufacturing sector and remains heavily dependent on imports of these strategic minerals; to several key mineral types, foreign dependency exceeds 80%. Meanwhile, the African continent—home to abundant, high-condition mineral resources—accounts to 60% of global cobalt, 40% of lithium, and 70% of manganese reserves, making it a core supplier in the global mineral supply chain.

Today, this traditional resource hub is undergoing a policy transformation. Over the past two years, greater than ten major African mineral-producing nations have adjusted their trade rules. Moving away from the old model of simply exporting raw ore, they are using measures such as export bans, quota controls, mandates to regional processing vegetation, and state equity participation to compel foreign companies to establish deep-processing capabilities locally. This collective policy shift is fundamentally rewriting the established order of global mineral trade.

An analysis of the new policies implemented across the region reveals the transformation strategies adopted by these resource-rich nations. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a core global cobalt producer, took early action: it first halted all exports of raw cobalt ore and subsequently transitioned to a government-led quota system, thereby securing firm manage over mineral exports.

Gabon, rich in manganese, has also signaled a clear shift, announcing a total ban on raw manganese ore exports starting in 2029—efficiently giving overseas companies a four-year window to establish regional processing facilities.

As of 2026, the pace of policy tightening has accelerated further. Kenya issued a decree adding minerals such as gold, iron, copper, and rare earths to its list of raw ore exports subject to bans.

Perhaps the most closely watched player in the sector is Zimbabwe, a leading African lithium producer. The country has designated 14 categories of minerals—including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite—as critical national strategic minerals and introduced two stringent mandates: first, a ban on the export of unprocessed raw ore, requiring all minerals to undergo specified deep processing before sale, alongside a commitment from companies to establish cutting-edge processing facilities on schedule; and second, a requirement that a state-designated agency take an equity stake in all mining projects, with no project permitted to commence without the participation of regional state-owned capital.

Kenyan President Ruto announced the ban at the summit.

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