Yahua Group hits the daily limit down, responds that it is not affected by Zimbabwe's lithium mine export ban

Sichuan Online Reporter Wang Ruoye

On February 26, the lithium battery sector suffered a heavy decline, with major stocks like Yahua Group, Shengxin Lithium Energy, China Mineral Resources, and CATL falling sharply. Yahua Group, a Sichuan-based company, once hit the daily limit down, closing down 8.76%. Another Sichuan stock, Shengxin Lithium Energy, also dropped 6.50%.

The day before, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Mines announced an immediate suspension of all ore and lithium concentrate exports (including in-transit goods), marking a key step in Zimbabwe’s push for local processing of mineral resources.

Official data shows Zimbabwe’s lithium mineral reserves are estimated at 126 million tons, ranking among the top globally. In recent years, Zimbabwe has played an important role in the global lithium supply chain. By 2025, China will have imported over 1.2 million tons of lithium ore from Zimbabwe, making it the second-largest source after Australia. Companies such as Huayou Cobalt, China Mineral Resources, Shengxin Lithium Energy, Yahua Group, and Tianhua New Energy have already established lithium mining and lithium sulfate production lines in Zimbabwe. The export ban on lithium ore could impact local lithium mining companies and alter the global lithium supply landscape. In the A-share market, the stocks mentioned above plummeted accordingly.

The sharp decline in stocks caused investors to become anxious and ask urgently: Does the Zimbabwe government’s lithium ore export ban affect Yahua Group’s lithium ore exports?

After the market closed on the afternoon of the 26th, Yahua Group quickly responded on the interactive platform: Currently, there will be no impact on the company’s normal production and operations. First, according to the Zimbabwe Ministry of Mines announcement and communication, this ban mainly targets illegal trade exports and explicitly allows only companies with mining rights and beneficiation plants to export. Yahua’s Zimbabwe project meets these requirements, and the company has already resubmitted its export application. It is expected to be approved within 1-2 weeks, allowing exports to resume. Second, the Zimbabwe government hopes Chinese companies will accelerate the construction of lithium sulfate factories in Zimbabwe, and Yahua’s Zimbabwe lithium sulfate project has already started construction. Lastly, all lithium concentrate previously produced by Yahua in Zimbabwe has been shipped back by sea, which will not affect the operation of Zimbabwe’s mines and can fully meet domestic production needs.

【Source: Sichuan Online】