THE value of Zimbabwe’s mineral exports surged past US$5 billion, year to date, more than doubling shipments during the same period the prior year.
According to the latest statistics from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), exceptional growth in lithium and platinum group metals (PGMs) exports drove the increase.
MMCZ operates as the exclusive national marketing and selling agent for all minerals produced in Zimbabwe, except gold and silver, which are marketed and sold by the central bank’s refining arm, Fidelity Gold Refinery.
Total sales reached US$5,013 billion between January 1 and October 27, representing a 107,9 percent increase compared to US$2,411 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.
The surge translates to an absolute revenue gain of US$2,602 billion year-over-year, MMCZ says.
Lithium products served as the primary engine for this overall expansion.
Spodumene concentrate exports generated US$1,92 billion, a 382,6 percent surge from US$398,8 million recorded in the prior period.
Petalite concentrate sales climbed 4,166 percent to US$190 million.
Within the PMGs category, matte sales rose 30,3 percent to about US$1,3 billion, while concentrates grew by 128,5 percent to US$492 million.
Steel surged about 190 percent to US$208 million.
High-carbon ferrochrome exports remained steady, generating US$286,54 million.
Highlighting the strategy to process raw materials domestically, MMCZ noted that local beneficiation and value addition continue to strengthen overall revenue.
Beneficiated products, including lithium sulphate, ferrochrome, steel and PGM matte, generated a combined US$1,99 billion, representing 39 7 percent of total sales.
“Doubling mineral sales to more than US$5 billion is a significant milestone for Zimbabwe’s mining sector,” said MMCZ general manager, Dr Nomsa Moyo.
“Lithium and platinum group metals have been the main engines of this growth, and the first sales of lithium sulphate show what value addition can deliver for the country.”
For October only (October 1 to 27), sales reached US$287,12 million, led by spodumene concentrate, which contributed US$112,83 million (39.3 percent of the monthly total).
Looking ahead to November and December, the MMCZ expects market conditions to remain mixed.
Realised export prices face higher uncertainty than physical shipment volumes.
Lithium prices are projected to stay soft and volatile as Chinese production recovers, while the outlook for PGMs remains uncertain.
Moving forward, the corporation will focus on securing full product value, diversifying export markets and expanding value-added mineral shipments.
The mining sector is Zimbabwe’s largest foreign currency earner, accounting for over 70 percent of the country’s total export revenue.-herald
