Online Reporter
Tawanda Musarurwa
ZIMBABWE is beginning to reap the benefits of its push to process lithium locally, with earnings from the strategic mineral soaring as Government tightens restrictions on the export of raw materials and accelerates value addition.
Latest figures show that lithium concentrate sales for 2026 have reached 816 774,35 tonnes valued at approximately US$1,247 billion, compared to 663 833,13 tonnes worth about US$243 million over the same period last year.
While volumes increased by 23 percent, earnings surged by 413 percent, highlighting the growing value being realised from the mineral as international prices recover and beneficiation measures take effect.
Earlier this year, Government implemented a ban on the export of raw minerals and lithium concentrates as part of a broader strategy to maximise returns from the country’s vast mineral wealth.
The policy seeks to curb revenue leakages, promote local processing and ensure Zimbabwe derives greater value from minerals that were previously exported with limited beneficiation.
In an interview, Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) general manager Dr Nomusa Jane Moyo said the improved performance reflects both stronger market conditions and the impact of Government policy.
“Zimbabwe is benefiting from the recovery in lithium prices, as reflected in MMCZ’s 2026 sales performance. The substantial growth in value indicates that improved international lithium prices are being captured in current sales and are not merely the result of volumes carried over from the lower-priced market conditions of 2025.”
The figures suggest that rising prices, rather than higher volumes alone, are driving the increase in export earnings.
Global spodumene prices have rebounded significantly after a difficult period in 2025, while measures such as Statutory Instrument 5 of 2023, the suspension of lithium concentrate exports earlier this year and the introduction of a 10 percent beneficiation tax have strengthened Government’s efforts to retain more value within the country.According to the African Energy Chamber’s State of
African Energy 2026 report, Zimbabwe is projected to produce about 160 000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) by 2030, placing it ahead of Mali’s projected 95 000 tonnes and reinforcing its position as Africa’s leading lithium producer.
In 2025, spodumene export volumes rose by 11 percent from 1,014 million tonnes to 1,128 million tonnes, while revenue remained largely unchanged at US$513,8 million, resulting in lower earnings per tonne.
Dr Moyo dismissed suggestions that exports were allowed to continue regardless of market conditions, saying Government had maintained strict oversight of lithium exports.
She cited Statutory Instrument 5 of 2023, which enabled authorities to allocate export quotas to individual producers while they invested in local processing facilities.
The policy has since become more stringent.
In February 2026, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development temporarily suspended all lithium concentrate exports amid concerns over leakages and malpractice. The move paved the way for the current quota system and the 10 percent export tax on concentrate shipments ahead of a complete export ban in January 2027.
While declining to discuss specific contracts, Dr Moyo said MMCZ uses internationally recognised pricing benchmarks.
“MMCZ benchmarks sales against reputable international price reporting agencies, including SMM and Benchmark.”
She added that MMCZ had partnered with the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) to improve mineral analysis and enhance recovery of by-products such as tantalum, caesium, niobium and rubidium, which are often found alongside lithium deposits.
The January 2027 ban on lithium concentrate exports remains firmly in place despite calls from parts of the industry for an extension.
Zimbabwe has attracted significant investment into lithium processing, including Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt’s US$400 million Prospect Lithium plant in Goromonzi and Sinomine’s US$500 million processing facility at Bikita.
Dr Moyo said Government’s position on the deadline has not changed.
“The prevailing Government position is that the January 2027 deadline remains in force. The Minister has been clear and consistent that it stands.”
She said tolling arrangements, where producers without processing facilities utilise existing plants, would help the industry meet the deadline.
Zimbabwe also began exporting lithium sulphate in April, marking a major step up the value chain.
By June, lithium sulphate accounted for 3,89 percent of total mineral export value, joining platinum group metals matte, spodumene concentrates and platinum concentrates among the country’s leading mineral exports.
“Lithium sulphate is emerging as a new value-added export mineral commodity,” Dr Moyo said.
She described the development as “an important step towards establishing Zimbabwe as a regional hub for battery mineral processing.”
Meanwhile, MMCZ’s maiden Mineral Resource Accounting and Surveillance Market update revealed 18 suspected mineral smuggling cases between January and August 20 this year involving 2 654,88 tonnes of minerals.
Lithium, chrome and silica accounted for most of the cases.
“The nature of offences included movement without valid documentation, misuse or falsification of export papers, cargo misdeclaration and attempted movement of unbeneficiated mineral ore,” Dr Moyo said.
Most cases were detected at border posts, where MMCZ has strengthened inspections in partnership with law enforcement agencies and anti-corruption authorities.
Government expects lithium products, platinum group metals, ferrochrome, steel and coke to remain key drivers of mineral export growth during the second half of 2026 as the country’s beneficiation programme gathers momentum.
