Zimbabwe’s mineral export earnings rose by 84 per cent in the first half of 2026, reaching a record 2.532 billion dollars, up from 1.376 billion dollars recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
Latest official figures, reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a partner of TV BRICS, showed that three major mineral categories accounted for more than 74 per cent of the country’s total mineral export earnings during the period.
According to the report, Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) remained Zimbabwe’s leading mineral export, contributing 33.93 per cent of total export value.
Spodumene concentrates, a major source of lithium used in battery production, accounted for 26.57 per cent of export earnings, while PGM concentrates contributed 13.73 per cent of total mineral exports.
The figures underscore Zimbabwe’s growing importance in the global supply of critical minerals used in renewable energy technologies and electric vehicle battery production.
The report also highlighted a significant milestone recorded in April 2026, when Zimbabwe exported its first shipment of lithium sulphate, marking the country’s entry into the midstream lithium processing segment.
According to officials, the expansion of domestic mineral processing capacity is enhancing Zimbabwe’s position in global mineral value chains by increasing local value addition and supporting the production of higher-value mineral exports.
Source:NAN
