The Cabinet has banned exports of lithium and other critical minerals and rare earth elements.

This follows a submission by the Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, to this effect.

The export of lithium in its raw form has been the focus of some communities and activists lately.

There have been demonstrations by traditional communities, particularly in the Erongo Region, where the sought-after mineral is found in large quantities.

There is currently litigation between the Minister of Mines and Energy and a Chinese miner, Xinfeng, over the withdrawal of the lithium mining licence by Minister Alweendo.

The licence was withdrawn because Xinfeng was allegedly mining lithium in the Omaruru area while only in possession of a prospecting licence.

There has also been concern over the raw export of lithium ore in large quantities by the miner under the pretext of laboratory tests being done in China.

Calls have been made for Xinfeng to set up a lithium mine in Namibia to process the mineral here.

However, according to the latest Cabinet decision, the export of certain critical minerals, such as unprocessed crushed lithium, is prohibited.

Other minerals included are cobalt, manganese, graphite, and rare earth elements.

Smaller quantities of these minerals may, however, be allowed for export at the discretion of the Minister of Mines and Energy.