Story by ZBC Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S mineral exports surged 84 percent to US$2.532 billion in the first half of 2026, driven by stronger global demand, favourable commodity prices and the country’s push to process minerals before export, the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) has said.
In a statement, MMCZ said export earnings rose from US$1.376 billion recorded during the same period last year, reflecting growing returns from Government’s beneficiation and value addition policy.
MMCZ General Manager Dr Nomusa Jane Moyo said the performance demonstrated the impact of policies aimed at increasing the value of Zimbabwe’s mineral exports.
“The US$2.532 billion recorded demonstrates the impact of the beneficiation and value addition policy. Based on the market trends and performance of our key mineral commodities, we are confident of surpassing our projected annual revenue this year,” she said.
Platinum group metal (PGM) matte remained Zimbabwe’s largest export, contributing 33.93 percent of total export value, followed by spodumene concentrates (26.57 percent) and PGM concentrates (13.73 percent). Together, the three commodities generated more than 74 percent of export earnings, highlighting Zimbabwe’s role as a supplier of platinum group metals and critical minerals used in the global energy transition.
MMCZ said lithium sulphate is emerging as a key value-added export after undergoing significant local processing, enabling Zimbabwe to retain a greater share of value within the battery minerals supply chain.
“The Corporation views this development as an important step towards establishing Zimbabwe as a regional hub for battery mineral processing,” Dr Moyo said.
She said the latest results reflected a broader shift from exporting raw minerals to higher-value processed products.
“The results confirm that success in the mineral sector is no longer measured simply by export volumes, but by the value realised from every tonne exported. We are increasingly exporting products such as ferrochrome, steel, polished granite slabs and lithium sulphate, which command significantly higher values than unprocessed minerals. This aligns with Government’s Vision 2030 objective of accelerating beneficiation, industrialisation and sustainable economic growth,” she said.
Beyond facilitating exports, MMCZ said it is strengthening mineral accountability through enhanced contract monitoring, price verification, mineral valuation and inspection systems. The corporation is also investing in digital systems and laboratory capacity to improve transparency, traceability and mineral accounting across the export value chain.
“MMCZ is investing in digitalisation and laboratory capacity to improve transparency, traceability and mineral accounting across the export value chain. These investments are expected to further safeguard national mineral revenues while improving the efficiency and integrity of Zimbabwe’s mineral marketing system,” Dr Moyo said.
Looking ahead, MMCZ expects PGMs, lithium products, ferrochrome, steel and coke to remain the main drivers of export growth during the second half of 2026, supported by continued beneficiation, downstream processing and market diversification.
