Zimbabwe has reported a 30% surge in spodumene concentrate exports in the first half of 2025, despite a significant drop in global lithium prices, reported Reuters, based on statistics from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ).
The country, Africa’s leading lithium producer, exported 586,197 tonnes (t) of the lithium-bearing mineral between January and June, compared to 451,824t during the same period in the previous year.
Prices of lithium, a critical component of renewable energy technology batteries, have plummeted by nearly 90% over the past two years, primarily due to oversupply. However, producers remain optimistic about the long-term prospects of the metal, given the global shift towards cleaner energy and electric vehicles.
MMCZ said: “A notable market contradiction was observed in the lithium sector, where prices declined despite a continuous rise in demand for lithium metal.”
The prices are expected to improve in the medium term.
Chinese companies such as Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine, Chengxin Lithium Group, Yahua Group and Tsingshan hold a dominant position in Zimbabwe’s lithium mining industry.
These companies have collectively invested more than $1.4bn (10.05bn yuan) since 2021 to acquire and develop lithium assets in the country, as per MMCZ.
Last month, Reuters reported that Zimbabwe plans to ban the export of lithium concentrates, starting from 2027, to encourage local processing.
Huayou, which exported 400,000t of lithium concentrate from Zimbabwe in 2024, has commenced the construction of a lithium sulphate plant within the country, with an annual capacity of 50,000t.
Similarly, Sinomine has revealed its intention to construct a $500m lithium sulphate plant at its Bikita mine in Zimbabwe.
Lithium sulphate is an essential intermediate product that can be refined into battery-grade materials such as lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate, which are crucial in battery manufacturing.
