Zimbabwe’s Lithium boom sparks dis­place­ment and ex­ploita­tion

The explosion of Chinese investment in Zimbabwe’s lithium sector has enriched few while displacing many. Despite the promise of economic growth, most nearby communities remain excluded, removed from land, denied jobs, and faced with environmental damage and tighter security. The government’s ban on raw lithium exports and the subsequent price drop further reduced income for small-scale miners, while formal mining operations expanded under foreign control. For many, illegal mining has become a last resort for survival.

Source: adapted from Rest of World, July 2025.