Zimbabwe Probes Mineral Export Corridor as Beira Port Emerges as Key Gateway

A high-level Zimbabwean delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon. Dr. Eng. Caleb Makwiranzou, has moved to strengthen oversight of mineral exports following a verification visit to Beira Port, Mozambique, amid Government concerns over possible cross-border mineral leakages. The delegation, comprising officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), visited Beira Port from 16–18 November 2025 to assess mineral export logistics, verify stockpiles of Zimbabwean minerals and engage port authorities on safeguarding the integrity of the export corridor. Port operator Cornelder de Moçambique confirmed that Zimbabwe accounts for over 40 percent of the cargo handled at Beira, underscoring the country’s strategic importance to the port’s operations. Container volumes linked to Zimbabwe have grown sharply over the past decade, with lithium exports rising from zero in 2020 to more than 24,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in 2025, while chrome and ferrochrome volumes have nearly doubled over the same period. A guided tour of the port revealed stockpiles of Zimbabwean minerals at the quay, including chrome concentrates, ferrochrome, lithium concentrates and black granite blocks, all awaiting shipment under customs clearance procedures. Cornelder officials indicated that minerals are digitally tracked and stored for limited periods to reduce congestion and demurrage risks. Based on the port’s robust digital systems, security surveillance and customs processes, the delegation concluded that large-scale mineral leakages through the main Beira Port were unlikely. However, attention has shifted to privately owned warehouses in the Beira Industrial Area, where minerals may be stored outside the port’s direct control. While no irregularities were confirmed during the visit, authorities flagged the need for further audits and direct engagement with Mozambican counterparts to ensure declared exports align with actual stock movements. The visit reaffirmed Beira Port’s capacity to support Zimbabwe’s growing mineral exports, while reinforcing the need for enhanced regional cooperation, digital integration and targeted audits beyond the port precinct to close potential loopholes.