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.
