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; for several key mineral types, foreign dependency exceeds 80%. Meanwhile, the African continent—home to abundant, high-quality mineral resources—accounts for 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, more 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 for local processing plants, and state equity participation to compel foreign enterprises 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 control 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—effectively giving overseas companies a four-year window to establish local 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 industry 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 strict 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 advanced 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 local state-owned capital.
Kenyan President Ruto announced the ban at the summit.
This model is not new; Indonesia previously reshaped the global nickel industry landscape using the same approach. In 2020, Indonesia imposed a total ban on raw nickel ore exports, compelling global nickel consumers to build smelting capacity within the country. In just a few years, Indonesia transformed from a mere exporter of raw materials into an industrial powerhouse controlling over 40% of global nickel refining capacity. Today, this successful model is being emulated by numerous resource-rich African nations.
As a major global supplier of bauxite, Guinea’s actions also warrant close attention. The country accounts for 41% of global bauxite supply and is a primary source of my country's bauxite imports. While Chinese-funded enterprises had previously expanded mining operations and driven a significant surge in local bauxite exports, raw material prices continued to decline. Recognizing the loss of potential profits, Guinea swiftly implemented control measures, setting a cap on total bauxite exports for 2026 that represents an 18% year-on-year reduction. Furthermore, the country plans to build multiple alumina refineries and is laying the groundwork for future electrolytic aluminum capacity, aiming to capture the entire aluminum industry value chain and retain processing profits domestically.
Beyond Africa, Latin American nations have also joined this wave of policy upgrades regarding natural resources. In April 2026, Brazil officially released new regulations for strategic minerals, requiring foreign investors developing minerals such as rare earths, lithium, and nickel to establish complete, advanced local processing lines, transfer core technologies, and train local technical teams, while mandating that local workers comprise at least 70% of the workforce. Across all these new regulations, the underlying logic is consistent: major resource-rich nations are moving away from the low-end model of selling raw materials cheaply. Instead, they are leveraging their resource advantages to gain greater say in the industrial chain, sparking a wave of resource nationalism. Their goal is clear: to use their mineral assets as leverage to attract advanced overseas smelting and processing technologies and supporting industries, thereby gradually building an autonomous and controllable local industrial system and ultimately shedding their reliance on foreign-controlled supply chains.
Some argue that these policies—by raising the entry threshold for overseas mining—will actually strengthen the competitiveness of Chinese mining companies. This is because the expansion of mineral production capacity in Africa is primarily driven by leading Chinese firms, which possess comprehensive capabilities spanning the entire industrial chain—from mining, primary smelting, and refining to the production of materials for new energy end-products. In contrast, European and American companies generally lack complete smelting and processing chains and downstream market presence, leaving them significantly less competitive under the new rules.
Objectively speaking, however, these higher thresholds and changing regulations still pose multiple challenges for Chinese mining companies operating abroad. my country has invested heavily in the African mining sector and relies significantly on the stability of overseas supplies of critical minerals. The demands of resource-rich nations have moved beyond merely collecting resource taxes and fees; they now target China’s mature processing techniques, core technologies, and integrated supply chain systems. Some nations are even showing a tendency to tighten policies and push for the nationalization of industries, increasing risks regarding both the security of overseas assets and the protection of technology.
Faced with this new landscape in the global mineral supply chain, domestic mining companies cannot afford a passive response; they must establish a comprehensive strategy to safeguard their development.
First, establish clear boundaries for the division of labor within the industrial chain, adhering to the principle of separating mining and beneficiation while keeping core operations at home.
Companies can accommodate the demands of resource-rich nations by establishing low-value-added upstream operations—such as ore beneficiation and primary smelting—locally to meet processing requirements and secure stable raw material quotas. However, core processes—such as high-purity lithium salt refining, cobalt hydrometallurgy, rare earth separation, and extractant formulation—as well as the manufacturing of high-value-added end-products, must remain firmly within China, leveraging the country's robust industrial ecosystem to secure core profits. At the same time, overseas projects must include rigorous technology protection agreements that clearly define intellectual property ownership, thereby preventing the leakage of core technologies at the source.
Second, diversify operational risks by establishing a balanced presence across multiple regions and countries. While deepening operations in major mineral-producing nations like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe, companies should actively expand into regions with political stability and favorable policies—such as Morocco, Tanzania, and Zambia—to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions caused by policy shifts in any single country. Furthermore, signing 5-to-10-year long-term supply agreements with partner nations can lock in supply volumes and prices, thereby hedging against short-term market volatility.
Third, domestic enterprises should collaborate closely and eliminate destructive internal competition.
It is recommended that leading domestic mining companies spearhead the formation of an industry alliance to coordinate with foreign governments and standardize commercial negotiation terms. This approach prevents Chinese firms from undercutting one another or eroding profits through internal friction, allowing them to engage in the global mineral market as a united front.
Fourth, prioritize the security of overseas assets and personnel.
In some parts of Africa, legal frameworks are underdeveloped and local power dynamics are complex, exposing overseas mining projects to risks such as asset encroachment and threats to personnel safety. By adopting security models used by global enterprises, companies can establish compliant security systems that safeguard overseas facilities, mines, and staff, allowing them to operate abroad with peace of mind.
Global mineral trade has long since evolved beyond the simple buying and selling of ores; it is now a comprehensive contest involving industrial chains, technologies, and regulatory standards.
Resource-rich nations seek industrial upgrading, while we require a stable supply of raw materials; this creates a foundation for cooperation alongside a clear interplay of interests. Chinese mining enterprises must participate in global cooperation with an open mindset while firmly safeguarding three critical areas—technology, industrial chains, and assets. Only by finding a balance that fosters long-term, mutually beneficial outcomes amidst this competition can they secure a firm foothold as the global mineral landscape is reshaped.
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