Rutendo Mazhindu - ZimNow Reporter
Zimbabwe’s spodumene concentrate exports rose by 30 percent in the first half of 2025 despite a sharp decline in global lithium prices, official figures from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) showed.
Between January and June 2025, the country exported 586,197 metric tons of spodumene concentrate, up from 451,824 tons during the same period in 2024.
This comes as lithium prices plummeted from over US$80,000 per ton in late 2022 to US$8,450 per ton by June 2025, representing a 90 percent drop globally.
MMCZ General Manager Mr. Tongai Muzenda confirmed the figures and said Zimbabwe’s mining sector had shown resilience amid a global market slump.
“Our lithium exports have continued to grow, largely driven by increased output from Chinese-run operations. This shows Zimbabwe remains competitive despite global price pressures,” said Muzenda.
Chinese companies have injected more than US$1.4 billion into Zimbabwe’s lithium sector since 2021. Major players include Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine Resource Group, Chengxin Lithium, Yahua Group, and Tsingshan Holdings.
Huayou is building a 50,000-ton-per-annum lithium sulphate plant, while Sinomine is developing a US$500 million processing facility at its Bikita mine.
These projects are part of Zimbabwe’s strategy to increase local beneficiation and reduce raw mineral exports.
Mines and Mining Development Minister . Winston Chitando said the government will enforce a complete ban on raw lithium exports by 2027.
“We are focused on ensuring that by 2027, all lithium leaving Zimbabwe will be in processed form. This is in line with our beneficiation and value addition policy,” said Chitando.
Zimbabwe remains Africa’s leading lithium producer and is positioning itself as a key player in the global electric vehicle supply chain.
Oscar J. Jeke- Zim Now ReporterThe International Monetary Fund has acknowledged Zimbabwe’s recent economic stabilization efforts—particularly the relative success of its new currency, the ZiG—but sa..
ZimbabweMunyaradzi Mashiri | Court CorrespondentThree men have appeared in court facing allegations of unlawful possession of raw, unmarked ivory valued at US$467.50.Givemore Murisa ,33, Bloodshow Kopa ,45,..
ZimbabwePatience Muchemwa – Senior ReporterZimbabwe is ramping up preparations for a busy international sporting calendar, focusing on nurturing young talent ahead of five major tournaments scheduled betwee..
Zimbabwe
Leave Comments