Zimbabwe mineral exports rebound

Zimbabwe's mineral exports rebounded strongly in 2025, driven by higher platinum group metals (PGMs) prices and rising lithium shipments, highlighting the country's growing role as a supplier of strategic minerals despite volatile global markets.

The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), which handles all minerals except gold and silver, facilitated the sale of 4.4 million metric tonnes of minerals valued at US$3.04 billion between January and November 2025. This represents a 10% increase in export volumes and a 9% rise in value compared with the same period in 2024.

Acting Deputy General Manager for Marketing, Gumisayi Nenzou, said PGMs remained Zimbabwe's largest mineral export earner, generating US$1.3 billion from 35,818 metric tonnes. While export volumes were broadly flat, stronger international prices for platinum, palladium, and rhodium lifted overall earnings.

Lithium exports also grew in significance, with spodumene accounting for 15.75% of total mineral export earnings, reflecting Zimbabwe's integration into the global battery minerals supply chain, though the sector remains vulnerable to price volatility.

Performance in other commodities was mixed. PGM concentrates recorded US$262.5 million from 65,555 metric tonnes, a sharp decline from US$494.4 million the previous year due to lower volumes and compressed margins. High-carbon ferrochrome and coal exports, by contrast, performed well, generating US$333.1 million and US$333 million, respectively, with ferrochrome volumes up 11% year on year.

The 2025 outcome contrasts with 2024, when MMCZ recorded a 21% rise in export volumes but a 13% drop in revenue to US$2.6 billion due to weak global prices.

MMCZ also implemented operational reforms to tighten oversight, improve compliance, and enhance value retention across the mineral value chain. Measures included retooling government laboratories, training 31 staff as certified drone pilots for mineral monitoring, expanding export markets across Africa, Asia, and Europe, and deploying inspectors at key exit points such as Beitbridge and Forbes border posts.

Nenzou acknowledged past challenges with public engagement and transparency and pledged structured media engagements in 2026 to strengthen accountability.

With commodity prices firming and export volumes on an upward trajectory, MMCZ expressed confidence in meeting its 2025 targets and sustaining growth into 2026.