Lithium Production Increases by Over 760 Percent
Lithium production surged by over 760 per cent in 2023, driven by the activation of several mines and lithium processing facilities.
by Rudairo Mapuranga
According to data released by the country’s statistics agency ZIMSTAT, production skyrocketed to 745,455 metric tonnes (MT) in 2023, marking an impressive 763.5 per cent increase from the 86,330 MT produced in 2022.
The first quarter of 2023 witnessed a surge of approximately 130.9 per cent, with production reaching 25,000 MT compared to 10,825 MT in the same quarter of 2022. In the second quarter, production spiked by about 405.8 per cent to 79,689 MT from 15,755 MT in 2022.
During the third quarter of 2023, production soared by approximately 807.5 per cent to 325,479 MT, compared to 35,866 MT in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Similarly, the fourth quarter saw a substantial increase of approximately 1220.1 per cent, with production reaching 315,287 MT, up from 23,884 MT in 2022.
Looking ahead, projections indicate continued growth in lithium production, solidifying the country’s position as a major player in the global lithium market.
In 2023, according to the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon. Zhemu Soda, lithium exports, despite the US$12 Billion vision by 2023, stimulated the lithium sector to realize US$600 million in exports annually.
“Lithium exports were targeted at half a Billion US dollars, but a total of over USD 600 million was realized from the export of Spodumene, Petalite, and Lepidolite, despite export bans that were effected in 2023, underscoring the importance of these lithium minerals to our economy,” Minister Soda said.
According to Hon. Soda, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development will continue to work on strategies to help the country realize more gains from its mineral resources. These strategies include coming up with Special Purpose Vehicles for mineral exploration, new mine openings, re-capacitation of dormant mines, expansion of current mining projects, curbing mineral leakages, increased capacity utilization, and ultimately value addition and beneficiation across the whole sector.