The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Zimbabwean lithium producers secure maximum value for their products as the country accelerates its beneficiation drive under the theme “Unlock Value, Maximise Benefit, Sustain Growth”, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking at the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe Annual Conference Lithium Symposium, MMCZ General Manager Dr Nomsa Moyo outlined the Corporation’s pivotal role in marketing the country’s lithium output, finding international markets, and safeguarding national revenue interests.
Established through an Act of Parliament [Chapter 21:04] in March 1983, MMCZ serves as the sole marketing and selling agent for all minerals produced in Zimbabwe, with the exception of gold and silver. The Corporation falls under the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
Dr Moyo described MMCZ’s role as a “balancing act”, ensuring producers achieve maximum profits while the nation secures maximum revenue from its mineral resources. This dual mandate is enshrined in the MMCZ Act, which tasks the Corporation with encouraging local beneficiation, advising the Minister on mineral marketing matters, and investigating marketing conditions both domestically and internationally.
Market Development and Pricing
Dr Moyo assured lithium producers that MMCZ has the necessary expertise to find markets in Europe, Asia and beyond. She emphasised that producers are at liberty to sell to whomever they choose, but MMCZ exists to ensure they achieve the maximum possible value.
“Producers are at liberty to sell to whoever they want to sell to. But at MMCZ, we are there to ensure that they sell the product at the maximum value that is possible,” she said.
To determine competitive prices, MMCZ uses commodity intelligence firms to benchmark prices against global competitors. The Corporation also advises producers on the best available markets and conducts ongoing market intelligence and research.
End-to-End Contract Oversight
MMCZ’s involvement extends across the entire export value chain, from contract negotiation to final payment verification. The Corporation processes all export documentation and negotiates contracts to minimise issues such as transfer pricing, under-invoicing and under-declaration.
“We are involved from the mine to the market,” Dr Moyo stated.
The Corporation consolidates cargo from various producers to help small-scale miners achieve economies of scale, negotiates logistics contracts, arranges warehousing, and handles export clearance for all minerals except gold and silver. MMCZ also plays a crucial role in quality control, conducting assays and inspections to ensure the integrity of mineral exports.
Fighting Mineral Leakages
MMCZ was originally established in part to curb mineral smuggling and transfer pricing. Today, the Corporation works alongside other government agencies to prevent the illegal export of minerals. Its Inspectorate Department, established in July 2010, ensures effective monitoring of mineral movements.
The scale of the challenge is significant. Zimbabwe is estimated to lose up to US$15 billion annually through illicit financial flows. MMCZ has deployed border inspection teams to Forbes and Beitbridge to strengthen anti-smuggling efforts.
Dr Moyo has previously laid out the stark arithmetic driving Zimbabwe’s beneficiation push. Raw lithium ore sells for US$30–50 per tonne; spodumene concentrate fetches US$150–300 per tonne; while battery-grade lithium hydroxide commands US$18,000–22,000 per tonne. At the manufacturing stage, lithium batteries themselves have a value per tonne equivalent of between US$50,000 and US$80,000.
“We are just getting US$250 per metric tonne. Getting two steps ahead, we are talking of US$22,000 per metric tonne,” she said.
The February 2026 suspension of raw mineral and lithium concentrate exports has reshaped the sector. While the ban initially cost MMCZ approximately US$462,000 per month in commission revenue, Dr Moyo has characterised this as “deferred rather than lost revenue” as the country transitions to higher-value processed mineral exports.
The results have been striking. In the first quarter of 2026, Zimbabwe sold 240,826 tonnes of lithium worth US$178.64 million, a 2% increase in volume but a 106% surge in value year on year. Total mineral sales reached 1.29 million tonnes worth approximately US$983.85 million.
Beyond marketing, MMCZ offers regulatory and advisory services on beneficiation and value addition opportunities. The Corporation’s 2024 strategic plan aligns with the National Development Strategy 1’s objectives of promoting value addition, accounting for mineral resources, and increasing revenue.
Dr Moyo has framed the beneficiation agenda not merely as a matter of national accounts but as a development imperative for mining communities.
“Think of the Zimbabwean in the rural area, the benefit that they will derive. US$300 per metric tonne versus US$22,000 per metric tonne. That’s the loss that we are incurring as a country,” she said.
She has also highlighted the employment benefits: “If you look at mining, you are limiting your employment levels. But if you go right up to value addition, you are enhancing the level of employment as well as industrial development.”
Technology transfer and capacity building represent additional benefits.
Dr Moyo concluded by emphasising that MMCZ exists to ensure all minerals from Zimbabwe, except gold and silver, are fully accounted for, benefiting both investors and the nation.
“We do that balancing act as MMCZ,” she said.
As Zimbabwe forges ahead with its beneficiation agenda, the message from the country’s sole minerals marketing agent was clear: value, not volume alone, must drive the sector’s future, and MMCZ stands ready to ensure that every Zimbabwean benefits from the nation’s mineral wealth.
