Zimbabwe arrests a Chinese national who works for Orequest (Pvt) Ltd in connection with the alleged smuggling of hundreds of tons of raw lithium ore out of the country through forged export papers.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested Ning Yaokun, who is also known as Tony, following his surrender to the investigating panel. He is to be arraigned at the Harare Magistrates’ Court on smuggling and other related charges.
Investigators have thus far discovered the alleged illegal processing and shipment of the mineral from Ruwa, recovered 420 tons of lithium ore, and discovered forged documents used to export the mineral via Forbes Border Post of Zimbabwe.
How the Alleged Smuggling of Lithium Was Done
The Orequest company is alleged to have run an unauthorized processing and transportation depot in Plot 5, Cheltenham Park Drive, Ruwa, where the mineral ore was processed and stored prior to exporting it.
It is also alleged by ZACC that the gang used forged documentation, which purportedly originated from Bikita Minerals Company, to effect the exports through Forbes Border Post in Mutare. Investigators believe that roughly 720 tonnes of unbeneficiated lithium ore had allegedly been exported out of Zimbabwe without benefiting the state, but the exact cost of the losses incurred could not be established yet.
A Case against Finance Director Minmin Song Involving Orequest Has Shown That The Company
Became Active in 2026 and That There Were Haulage and Machinery at the Ruwa Site.
420 Tonnes of Lithium Recovered
As a result of the investigation, a considerable quantity of the mineral has already been recovered.
The ZACC reports that 300 tonnes were recovered from the Ruwa stockpile, another 60 tonnes from two containers left at Lochinvar Truck Stop in Harare, and 60 tonnes were found at the Forbes Border Post.
Also seized were various pieces of equipment said to be related to the operation, such as a jaw crusher, front-end loader, TLB machines, generator, and 20 wheelbarrows.
Reasons Behind Zimbabwe’s Protection of Lithium
As part of Zimbabwe’s effort to avoid exporting raw minerals, this is taking place in the context where the country aims to maximize local processing and value addition.
Lithium has grown strategically important for Zimbabwe since it plays a critical role in battery chains, especially concerning electric cars and other energy storage applications. In light of that, the government of the country has aimed at increasing local processing of lithium to ensure that valuable minerals do not leave the country in their raw form.
This particular alleged Orequest operation goes against that trend by aiming to export unbeneficiated lithium.
Other Persons Involved in This Case
Yaokun is not the only person accused of involvement in this crime.
Along with Chinese national Minmin Song and two other persons, Shuvai Muza and Charlene Chivandire, another person called Malvern is still on the run.
The losses from the alleged exports have yet to be calculated, and the probe is still in progress.
Conclusion
The latest investigation into lithium smuggling in Zimbabwe underscores the growing need for the country to safeguard its critical minerals as global demand for lithium continues to rise.
The seizure of 420 tonnes, together with the use of fake export documentation and a processing facility that has not been authorized by the government, demonstrates the difficulties the authorities encounter when trying to implement the country’s mineral export controls.
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