Zimbabwe’s copper production more than halved in the first quarter of 2026, highlighting the challenges facing the country’s base metal sector at a time when global demand for the metal is rising and prices remain supportive, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Ryan Chigoche
Data from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Research Department shows copper output fell to 1,216 metric tonnes in Q1 2026, down 52% from 2,561.78 tonnes produced during the same period in 2025.
The decline places copper among the minerals that have recorded significant production setbacks despite Zimbabwe’s broader mining sector continuing to benefit from favourable commodity prices, with gold and lithium remaining the biggest contributors to mineral export earnings.
Copper’s weak performance also reflects a sharp decline compared with recent production levels. In 2024, Zimbabwe produced 3,689 tonnes in the first quarter, followed by 2,961 tonnes in Q2, 3,547 tonnes in Q3, and 2,752 tonnes in Q4.
At 1,216 tonnes, production during the opening quarter of 2026 was nearly two-thirds below the 3,689 tonnes recorded in Q1 2024, highlighting the extent of the sector’s decline.
However, the quarterly figures mask some improvement towards the end of the period, with monthly production showing signs of recovery.
Copper output started the year at 353 tonnes in January before declining to 260 tonnes in February. Production then rebounded strongly in March, reaching 601 tonnes, the highest monthly output recorded during the quarter.
The March recovery, which saw production more than double from the previous month, provides an early indication that output pressures may be easing. If sustained, the improvement could support stronger production in subsequent quarters.
The potential recovery comes at a crucial time for copper markets. The metal has become increasingly important globally due to its role in electrification, renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles, and expanding power networks.
Copper prices have remained elevated, trading at around US$13,800 per tonne in July 2026, while analysts at Macquarie raised their 2026 average copper price forecast to US$13,165 per tonne.
Although the global market is expected to experience short-term surpluses, the long-term outlook for copper remains positive, with demand expected to grow as economies invest in energy transition infrastructure.
For Zimbabwe, the current market environment presents an opportunity to rebuild a copper industry that has declined significantly over the past decades and expand its mineral export base beyond gold, platinum group metals, and lithium.
Copper was once a more prominent contributor to Zimbabwe’s mining sector, with historical data showing production reaching around 16,000 tonnes in 1990 before a prolonged decline driven by mine closures, underinvestment, and operational challenges.
The contrast between historical output and current production highlights the challenge facing Zimbabwe: translating its mineral resource base into sustained production growth at a time when copper is emerging as one of the world’s most strategic industrial metals.
As countries compete to secure supplies of minerals needed for the energy transition, increasing copper output could provide Zimbabwe with an opportunity to strengthen its role in global critical mineral supply chains.
However, unlocking that potential will require sustained investment, exploration, and improved production capacity. While the March rebound offers an encouraging signal, restoring Zimbabwe’s copper sector to previous levels will depend on whether producers can maintain growth beyond short-term improvements.
