HARARE, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwean government on Tuesday adopted a minerals value chain framework to end reliance on foreign laboratories for mineral certification, aiming to lower costs and curb leakages during mineral exportation.

The framework will transition Zimbabwe from a raw resource exporter to a minerals-based industrial hub by ending its reliance on foreign laboratories through a decentralized network of analytical hubs at national universities and scientific institutions, said Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Zhemu Soda.

Under the plan, the University of Zimbabwe will serve as the apex hub for lithium, rare earth elements and uranium, while other regional universities will specialize in platinum, diamonds, and industrial minerals, among others.

The framework also introduces a real-time "mine-to-market" smart tracking system to provide a comprehensive audit trail from extraction to the port of exit. Additionally, legally binding minimum processing standards will be established, making value-added compliance certificates mandatory for all export permits.

The announced measures follow the Zimbabwean government's suspension in February of exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates. ■