Lithium price shock from Zimbabwe export ban keeps traders edgy heading into Monday
China’s lithium carbonate futures surged over 6% after Zimbabwe halted exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates, disrupting supply chains. Lithium stocks jumped in China, Australia, and the U.S. Zimbabwe shipped 1.128 million tons of spodumene concentrate to China in 2025. Investors await Zimbabwe’s next move on export permits and China’s futures market reopening on March 2.