Zimbabwe has seen a significant increase in lithium production in the first quarter of 2023, as reported by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat).
Zimbabwe’s lithium output has increased steadily in recent years, producing 1,200 metric tonnes in 2021. This increase in production comes as the country seeks to exploit one of the world’s most sought-after commodities and develop its entire lithium value chain.
The country’s lithium production index for the first quarter of 2023 was 184.2%, depicting a year-on-year increase of 169.5% from 68.4% recorded in the first quarter of 2022. The quarter-on-quarter percentage increase in output was also 22.2%. The white gold has been perceived as Zimbabwe’s ‘sanctions busting’ card, with authorities setting a US$10 billion revenue target and promising jobs through the mineral’s value addition.
The increase in lithium production comes on the back of plans by the government, through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, to maximize the commodity’s value by 300% after beneficiation. The government recently banned the export of any mineral ore containing lithium, with untapped resources and growing global demand making it well on its way to becoming a global lithium hub.
In addition to lithium, the Index of Mineral Production for Zimbabwe was 138.9% during the first quarter period, reflecting a year-on-year percentage increase of 16.8% when compared to 118.9% recorded in the first quarter of 2022. However, the quarter-on-quarter comparison shows a 6.98% decrease in the index from 149.3% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022 to 138.9% in the first quarter of 2023.
The output index for gold showed a decrease from 117.2% in the first quarter of 2022 to 110.7% in the first quarter of 2023. Platinum increased by 34.6% from 103.3% in the first quarter of 2022, while diamond recorded an annual output increase of 55% with a quarter-on-quarter percentage change of 7.2%.
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe list Areas of verified Lithium deposits in Zimbabwe as Goromonzi, Mudzi, Buhera, Bikita, Chegutu, Hwange, Harare, Insiza, Rushinga, Mutoko, Mutare and Hwange. However, Lithium continues to be discovered in various areas across the country. So far the mineral has been discovered in areas such as Mberengwa, Bindura, and Kadoma.
