Lithium has overtaken platinum group metals (PGMs) as Zimbabwe’s leading mineral export revenue earner, generating US$2.159 billion in export sales during the first nine months of 2026.
In a statement, yesterday, Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) said the period shows that lithium accounted for 45.6% of the country’s total mineral export value.
“Lithium exports generated US$2.159 billion in export sales between January and September, representing 45.6% of total mineral export value,” MMCZ said.
The figures show that lithium earnings exceeded PGM export earnings by US$430 million during the nine-month period, marking a significant shift in the composition of Zimbabwe’s mineral export revenues.
“Lithium earnings exceeded PGMs by US$430 million, establishing lithium as Zimbabwe’s leading mineral export revenue earner during the period, excluding gold and silver,” MMCZ said.
The development highlights the increasing importance of lithium in Zimbabwe’s mining industry, as the country continues to position itself as a significant producer of minerals critical to global energy transition and battery manufacturing.
