Zambia Revenue Authority Seizes Truck Carrying Lithium in Anti-Smuggling Operation

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has taken action to intercept and seize a truck attempting to smuggle one of Zambia’s strategic minerals, Lithium, at the Kazungula One Stop Border Post (OSBP).

This operation was conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development as part of ongoing efforts to combat illicit mineral exports.

The incident unfolded when ZRA officials, working alongside Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development personnel, initiated an investigation into a group of exporters suspected of misclassifying valuable mineral products for export.

Acting on a tip-off, they impounded an export-bound truck that had declared its cargo as Silica Sand but was suspected of carrying Lithium Ore.

To verify the actual contents, samples were collected from the truck by a joint team of ZRA and Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development officers.

The exporters had falsely declared the shipment as 29 tonnes of Silica Sand valued at K18,600. However, upon verification, it was revealed that the truck was transporting Lithium Ore with a value of K296,000, containing 1.71% Lithium content.

Consequently, the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development imposed a K90,000 penalty on the exporter for making a false declaration of the exported mineral.

This interception is a direct result of heightened vigilance in monitoring various mineral products leaving the country’s borders. ZRA wishes to send a clear message to potential wrongdoers involved in such activities that measures have been put in place to detect and prosecute offenders.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, ZRA has intensified its efforts to verify the quality and valuation of minerals at border points.

This action is in response to instances where mineral exporters have presented false samples when applying for Mineral Export Permits.

Such actions result in the issuance of permits for minerals with different qualities and values than those actually exported. To rectify this, samples are now being collected at the point of export and subjected to testing at government and private laboratories to confirm the accuracy of declarations made by mineral exporters.

This incident underscores the importance of the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development’s plan to establish a Minerals Regulator, aimed at addressing gaps in the monitoring and enforcement of the mineral value chain. This initiative seeks to safeguard the nation’s revenue from the mining sector against fraudulent practices.

Despite the evolving tactics of smugglers, ZRA remains committed to enforcement and continues to collaborate with other government agencies by sharing crucial information to apprehend offenders.

Zambia Revenue Authority reaffirms its dedication to combating all forms of smuggling and protecting the nation’s economy from those engaging in illicit trade.

The public is encouraged to report any suspicious trade practices to ZRA, fostering a level playing field for all legitimate traders.

It’s worth noting that Lithium is one of the minerals classified as Strategic Minerals by the Government of the Republic of Zambia.