Minerals export earnings jump 14%
STAFF WRITER
Zimbabwe’s mineral export earnings rose 14% in 2025 to US$3,4bn, driven by shipments of 4,8m tonnes of minerals excluding gold and silver, beating both value and volume targets, the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) has said.
The performance marks an improvement from 2024, when the country earned US$3,2bn from exports of 4,756m tonnes of minerals, underscoring firm global demand, improved operational efficiencies and the mining sector’s central role in the economy.
Mining remains the country’s largest foreign currency earner, a critical employer, and a key driver of economic and industrial development. The sector contributes an estimated 60% to over 80% of national export earnings.
Beyond gold, Zimbabwe’s key mineral exports include platinum group metals (PGMs), lithium, chrome and ferro-alloys, which anchor the country’s export basket and underpin downstream value-addition initiatives.
MMCZ general manager Dr Nomusa Moyo said the strong export performance reflected improved market conditions, enhanced efficiencies and the benefits of strategic systems upgrades.
“Cumulative mineral sales for the financial year 2025 reached 4,890m tonnes, valued at US$3,4bn, surpassing the budgeted 4,756m tonnes valued at US$3,2bn,” Dr Moyo said.
“This represents positive variances of 3% in volume and 6% in value. Compared to 2024, when 3,033m tonnes valued at US$2,9bn were exported, the 2025 performance reflects a surge of 61% and 14% in volume and value terms, respectively.”
However, she noted that value growth was partly constrained by weaker rough diamond sales volumes, subdued diamond prices and heightened competition in the coke market, which forced strategic price adjustments to protect market share.
Looking ahead, MMCZ has set an ambitious revenue target of US$3,5bn this year.
“MMCZ projects a US$3,5bn revenue target for 2026, underpinned by a positive outlook for platinum group metals, driven by supply constraints and growing demand from hydrogen energy, jewellery and industrial applications,” Dr Moyo said.
