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Zimbabwe

By National Minerals Information Center

Zimbabwe was the world’s third-ranked producer of platinum

Pictured: platinum-bearing chromite in gabbro

Statistics and information on the mining industry in Zimbabwe.

Overview

In 2024, Zimbabwe was the world’s third-ranked producer of platinum, accounting for 10.3% of global production; fourth-ranked producer of lithium (excluding the United States) and palladium, accounting for 9.0% and 7.0% of global production, respectively; sixth-ranked producer of vermiculite and chromium, accounting for 6.0% and 3.2% of global production, respectively; and ninth-ranked producer of gem-quality natural diamond, accounting for 0.8% of global production. Other mineral commodities produced in the country included cobalt, copper, ferrochromium, gold, granite, nickel, phosphate rock, platinum-group metals (PGMs), and silver. In 2024, the mining and quarrying sector contributed about 15.4% to the gross domestic product. Gold, PGMs, and ferroalloys were the main sources of foreign exchange earnings in 2024, representing 32.3%, 19.4%, and 4.3%, respectively, of total exports of goods. Zimbabwe's total exports of goods were valued at \$7.8 billion. Chromium ore and concentrate was exported mainly to Mozambique and South Africa, diamond to the United Arab Emirates and Belgium, gold to the United Arab Emirates, lithium ore to China, and platinum to South Africa. 

The mining sector is mainly regulated by the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05] of 1961 and its associated regulations. The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development manages the mineral sector. Most mineral commodities were produced primarily by international companies, with domestic companies and mining cooperatives contributing only a minor share. Between 2023 and 2024, lithium output expanded significantly as multiple mines—including the Arcadia, Sabi Star, Bikita, Gwanda, and Kamativi Mines—advanced operations or commissioning. In the PGMs sector, Zimbabwe Platinum Mines (Pvt.) Ltd. (Zimplats) of South Africa, Mimosa Holdings (Pty) Ltd. of South Africa, and Unki Mines (Pvt.) Ltd. of South Africa, remained the main producers. Karo Zimbabwe Holdings of South Africa continued developing its open pit Karo Platinum Project. The Manhize Steel Plant, commissioned by Dinson Iron and Steel Co. (a subsidiary of Tsingshan Holding Group of China), began producing pig iron and billets in 2024. Ferrochromium production was led by Zimbabwe Mining and Smelting Co. (ZIMASCO) (Pvt.) Ltd. of China and Afrochine Smelting (Pvt.) Ltd. of China. In 2024, Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Co. remained the leading producer and exporter of diamond in the country. 

 

2024 Report

Full data release with tables here.

In 2024, Zimbabwe was the world’s third-ranked producer of platinum, accounting for 10.3% of global production; fourth-ranked producer of lithium (excluding the United States) and palladium, accounting for 9.0% and 7.0% of global production, respectively; sixth-ranked producer of vermiculite and chromium, accounting for 6.0% and 3.2% of global production, respectively; and ninth-ranked producer of gem-quality natural diamond, accounting for 0.8% of global production. Other mineral commodities produced in the country included cobalt, copper, ferrochromium, gold, granite, nickel, phosphate rock, platinum-group metals (PGMs), and silver. Data on mineral production are in the Production table (formerly table 1). In 2024, the mining and quarrying sector contributed about 15.4% to the real gross domestic product. Gold, PGMs, and ferroalloys were the main sources of foreign exchange earnings in 2024, representing 32.3%, 19.4%, and 4.3%, respectively, of total exports of goods. Zimbabwe's total exports of goods were valued at \$7.8 billion. Chromium ore and concentrate was exported mainly to Mozambique and South Africa, diamond to the United Arab Emirates and Belgium, gold to the United Arab Emirates, lithium ore to China, and platinum to South Africa (Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, 2025, p. XIII [177], Trade Data Monitor LLC, 2025; Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, 2025; Jaskula, 2026; Olson, 2026; Schulte, 2026a, b; Simmons, 2026). 

The mining sector is mainly regulated by the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05] of 1961 and its associated regulations. Relevant regulations include the Mining (General) Regulations, the Mining (Management and Safety) Regulations, the Mining (Health and Sanitation) Regulations, and the Mines and Minerals (Custom Milling Plants) Regulations. Other legislation within the regulatory framework for the mining sector includes the Base Minerals Export Control Act [Chapter 21:01], the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe Incorporation (Private) Act [Chapter 21:02], the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27], the Gold Trade Act [Chapter 21:03], the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe Act [Chapter 21:04], and the Precious Stones Trade Act [Chapter 21:06]. Mining operations are also governed by other acts, amendments, regulations, statutory instruments, and general notices. The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development manages the mineral sector in accordance with the Mines and Minerals Act, the Mining (General) Regulations of 1977, and their amendments. Most mineral commodities were produced primarily by international companies, with domestic companies and mining cooperatives contributing only a minor share (Madya and Muzaza, 2025). More-extensive coverage of Government policies and programs can be found in previous editions of this chapter in the U.S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook, volume III, Area Reports—International—Africa and the Middle East, which are available at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/afric…. The Facilities table (formerly table 2) is a list of major mineral industry facilities. 

The Finance Act of 2023 amended the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05] to introduce the designation of strategic minerals—those deemed vital for Zimbabwe’s economic, social, and industrial development. The Act lists coal, copper, diamonds, gaseous hydrocarbons, iron ore, lithium, mineral oils, nickel, nuclear energy source materials, and rare-earth minerals as strategic. The President, in consultation with the Minister of Mines, may designate additional minerals by publishing them in the Government Gazette. Anyone seeking to mine strategic minerals must obtain a special mining lease or grant (Zimbabwean Government Gazette, 2023, p. 326–328). 

 

Commodity Review 

Chromium and Ferrochromium.—In 2024, Chinese-owned Zimbabwe Mining and Smelting Co. (ZIMASCO) (Pvt.) Ltd. and Afrochine Smelting (Pvt.) Ltd. each had a ferrochromium production capacity of 180,000 metric tons per year (t/yr). Afrochine’s ferrochrome output was integrated into Tsingshan Holding Group’s stainless-steel supply chain, supporting the operations of the Manhize integrated steel facility (Manhize Steel Plant), which was commissioned in 2024 and was operated by Dinson Iron and Steel Co. Additionally, Dinson Colliery (Pvt.) Ltd., another subsidiary of Tsingshan Holding Group of China, supplied coke to both Afrochine and Dinson Iron and Steel Co. (Business Times, 2023; Zimbabwe Mining and Smelting Co. (Pvt.) Ltd., 2024; Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Pvt.) Ltd., 2025). 

In 2024, African Chrome Fields Ltd. (ACF) of South Africa mined and processed alluvial chromite ore along the Great Dyke in Midlands Province in the Chinyikwa, Ngezi, and Lalapanzi regions, and produced about 360,000 metric tons (t) of chromium concentrate. The company planned to increase its output to 800,000 t/yr by 2030. In 2023, ACF commenced operations at its new aluminothermic smelting plant in Kwekwe, Midlands Province (Mining Weekly, 2023; Shoko, 2024). 

Diamond.—The country’s diamond production was 5,293,329 carats in 2024 at a value of about \$164 million and it exported 7,772,215 carats at a value of \$234 million. The diamond producers were Anjin Investment Ltd. of China, RZM Murowa (Pvt.) Ltd., and Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Co. (ZCDC). ZCDC was the country’s leading diamond producer in 2024, with an estimated output of 5 million carats. The company planned to double its production by developing new mining areas. ZCDC sold the majority of its diamond production to the United Arab Emirates (Mining Zimbabwe, 2023, 2024b; Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, 2025).  

Iron and Steel.—In 2024, Dinson Iron and Steel Co., a subsidiary of Tsingshan Holding Group, commissioned the Manhize Steel Plant in Manhize, Midlands Province. In June 2024, the plant began production of pig iron and steel billets. By October, it reached 60% of its designed 600,000-t/yr capacity and commissioned a 50‑megawatt powerplant to support energy self‑sufficiency. The company planned to begin manufacturing steel bars at its steel plant in April 2025 and aimed to increase installed capacity to 1.2 million metric tons per year (Mt/yr) of steel products in the near term. The iron ore used for the operation was sourced from deposits located in the vicinity of the Manhize plant (Dube, 2024; Herald, The, 2024; Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Pvt.) Ltd., 2025).  

Lithium.—In 2023 and 2024, Zimbabwe significantly increased lithium production, driven by the commissioning of new commercial operations and the expansion of existing assets. Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (Pvt.) Ltd., a subsidiary of Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. Ltd. of China, began production at the Arcadia Mine in early 2023 with a design capacity of about 450,000 t/yr of lithium concentrates (comprising 250,000 t of spodumene and 200,000 t of petalite). Shenzhen Chengxin Lithium Group Co. Ltd. of China, through its subsidiary Max Mind Investments (Zimbabwe) (Pvt.) Ltd., commissioned the Sabi Star Mine in May 2023, with an estimated capacity of 300,000 t/yr of lithium concentrate. Sinomine Rare Metals Resources Co. Ltd. of China completed a major expansion at the Bikita Mine and brought new plants online in late 2023, with designed capacity of 300,000 t/yr of spodumene concentrate and 300,000 t/yr of petalite concentrate. Kuvimba Mining House (Pvt.) Ltd., through its subsidiary Sandawana Mines (Pvt.) Ltd., started open pit mining in 2023 at the Sandawana Mine and was expected to start production of concentrates by the end of 2025, with a design capacity of 500,000 t /yr of spodumene concentrates during its first phase (Max Mind Investments (Zimbabwe) (Pvt.) Ltd., 2023, p. 4, 10; Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (Pvt.) Ltd., 2023, p. 2, 7–8; China Mining Resources Group Co. Ltd., 2024, p. 14, 24; Mining Weekly, 2024; Mining Zimbabwe, 2024a; Sichuan Yahua Industrial Group Co. Ltd., 2024, p. 14, 18, 19; Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. Ltd., 2024, p. 17; Kuvimba Mining House Ltd., 2025). 

In 2024, the Gwanda Mine, owned by Tsingshan Holding Group, began operations and planned to produce 200,000 t/yr of lithium concentrate once the plant reaches full production capacity. The Kamativi Mine also commenced operations in 2024 and planned for 50,000 t/yr of spodumene concentrate. Premier African Minerals Ltd. of the United Kingdom was advancing development of the Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project in 2024, while Prospect Resources Ltd. of Australia announced plans to sell the Step Aside Lithium Project (Mining Weekly, 2024; Mining Zimbabwe, 2024a; Prospect Resources Ltd., 2024, p. 2, 19; Herald, The, 2025; Premier African Minerals Ltd., 2025, p. 1, 3). 

Platinum-Group Metals.—In 2024, PGMs in Zimbabwe were produced by three South African–owned companies: Zimbabwe Platinum Mines (Pvt.) Ltd. (Zimplats), Mimosa Holdings (Pty) Ltd. (Mimosa), and Unki Mines (Pvt.) Ltd. (Unki). Their operations also yielded byproduct cobalt, copper, nickel, gold, and silver. In 2024, Zimplats, a subsidiary of Zimplats Holdings Ltd., was the leading PGMs producer in Zimbabwe with PGMs production of 17,627 kilograms (kg), including 7,272 kg of palladium and 8,628 kg of platinum. Zimplats continued mining operations and advanced the development of the Mupani and Bimha Mines to replace output from the Mupfuti, Ngwarati, and Rukodzi Mines, where ore reserves are nearing depletion (Facilities table; Zimplats Holdings Ltd., 2024, p. 2, 3; 2025, p. 2, 3).  

In 2024, Karo Zimbabwe Holdings—a joint venture between Karo Mining Holdings plc (a subsidiary of Tharisa plc, incorporated in the Republic of Cyprus) and the Government‑owned Generation Minerals—continued developing an open pit mine for PGM extraction and a processing concentration plant as part of the Karo Platinum Project. The project is located in Mashonaland West Province, about 80 kilometers southwest of Harare. Karo’s projected output was about 6,000 kilograms per year of PGMs over a 10‑year period, with additional, unspecified production of copper and nickel (Karo Mining Holdings, 2024, p. 2, 4–6, 8; 2025). 

 

References Cited 

  • Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Pvt.) Ltd., 2025, Company overview: Harare, Zimbabwe, Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Pvt.) Ltd. (Accessed December 18, 2025, via https://discosteel.com/about-us/#overview.) 
  • Jaskula, B.W., 2026, Lithium: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 118–119.  
  • Olson, D.W., 2026, Gemstones: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 86–87. 
  • Schulte, R.F., 2026a, Chromium: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 66–67.  
  • Schulte, R.F., 2026b, Platinum-group metals: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 144–145.  
  • Simmons, K.J., 2026, Vermiculite: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 204–205. 
  • Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, 2025, Published quarterly GDP 2023-2025: Harare, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, August. (Accessed December 22, 2025, via https://www.zimstat.co.zw/national-accounts/.) 
  • Zimbabwe Mining and Smelting Co. (Pvt.) Ltd., 2024, Business operations: Harare, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Mining and Smelting Co. (Pvt.) Ltd. (Accessed December 19, 2025, at https://zimasco.co.zw/business-operations/.) 

 

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