Platinum group metals matte leads as mineral exports surge 84pc to US$2,5bn

Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]

ZIMBABWE’S mineral exports maintained strong growth in the first half of 2026, with platinum group metals (PGM) matte remaining the country’s dominant export as mineral shipments facilitated by the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) rose 84 percent to US$2,532 billion from US$1,376 billion recorded during the same period last year.

The performance reflects the growing impact of beneficiation and value addition, with processed minerals increasingly contributing more to export earnings.

PGM matte accounted for 33,93 percent of total export value, followed by spodumene concentrates at 26,57 percent and PGM concentrates at 13,73 percent.

Collectively, the three commodities generated more than 74 percent of total export earnings, underscoring Zimbabwe’s strategic role as a supplier of platinum group metals and critical minerals.

MMCZ general manager Dr Nomusa Jane Moyo attributed the strong performance to increased global demand, favourable commodity prices and Government’s beneficiation policy.

“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.

Dr Moyo said lithium sulphate was emerging as a new value-added export after undergoing significant local processing, enabling Zimbabwe to retain greater value within the battery minerals value chain.

She said the results showed Zimbabwe’s mining sector was shifting 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.

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 and downstream mineral processing.