Zimbabwe lithium export ban boosts mineral sales to near $1 billion

Zimbabwe’s mineral sector posted a strong first‑quarter 2026, with total mineral sales reaching about $983.9 million—close to the $1 billion mark. Volume rose 27% and value jumped 79% year‑on‑year after the government imposed an export ban on unbeneficiated minerals on 25 February, aiming to increase domestic processing.

Lithium emerged as a top performer, with sales of 240,826 tonnes worth $178.6 million, a 2% rise in volume but a 106% surge in value. The ban is intended to solidify Zimbabwe’s role in the global battery supply chain, where the country supplies roughly 15% of the spodumene imported into China.

Platinum‑group metals contributed $543.97 million, with concentrate volumes nearly doubling and higher global prices offsetting a decline in matte output. Steel, coal and coke also posted gains, whereas diamond exports fell sharply, down 46% as laboratory‑grown synthetic diamonds depress natural‑diamond prices.

Officials note that the second‑quarter outlook remains mixed, with geopolitical tensions and energy‑market disruptions likely to affect commodity prices for critical minerals used in industrial and defence applications.