Online Reporter
Martin Kadzere
Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S mineral exports increased by 27 percent in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, despite an easing of the global commodity market, according to the latest official figures.
The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), which handles the sale of all minerals except gold and silver, facilitated the sale of approximately 2,4 million tonnes of minerals valued at US$1,395 billion between January and June.
While overall mineral export volume increased, the total sales value declined.
This was mainly due to subdued markets for ferrochrome, lithium, and rough diamonds, which were impacted by reduced activity in the downstream industries.
Geopolitical tensions, however, had a positive effect on gold prices, which in turn boosted platinum prices as platinum is increasingly being used as an alternative to gold in the jewelry industry.
The lithium sector experienced a notable contradiction; prices declined despite a continuous rise in demand for lithium metal.
This was exacerbated by the imposition of high tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles by the US and European Union, leading to high inventories of upstream lithium concentrates.
Despite these challenges, lithium prices are expected to improve in the medium term.
This trend highlights the need for Zimbabwe’s innovation hubs to increase research into developing more sustainable, lithium-efficient batteries.
An increase in ferrochrome sales is anticipated in the third quarter of 2025, driven by new production capacities and a stabilising market.
However, the chrome ore and concentrate market remains pressured by weak global stainless-steel demand and growing stockpiles in China.
Chinese port inventories reached nearly 2,9 million tonnes, necessitating a strategic review of chrome ore export policies given the current market oversupply.
In response, the MMCZ will engage the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to advocate for a total ban on chrome ore exports.
This measure aims to address the oversupply and potentially encourage in-country processing.
