Zimbabwe’s 63 Minerals and their Uses

Zimbabwe is one of the world’s most richly endowed countries in terms of mineral wealth. With 63 officially listed minerals, the Southern African country boasts a diverse geological landscape that has the potential to drive industrialisation, export growth, and inclusive development.

From high-demand strategic resources like lithium and rare earths to traditional powerhouses such as gold and platinum, Zimbabwe’s mineral portfolio presents both economic opportunities and strategic leverage on the global commodities stage.

Here’s a comprehensive list of all 63 officially recognized minerals found in Zimbabwe and their uses.

💎 1–10: Precious & Gemstone Minerals

1. Agate – Semiprecious stone for jewellery and décor; enhances artisanal mining income
2. Amazonite – Green feldspar used in jewellery and ornamental crafts
3. Amethyst – Purple quartz for jewellery and metaphysical markets
4. Emerald – High-value gemstone, globally exported
5. Sapphire – Precious corundum used in jewellery and fine watchmaking
6. Citrine – Quartz gemstone used in jewellery
7. Garnet – Abrasive and gemstone
8. Jade – Ornamental stone for carvings and jewellery
9. Topaz – Clear-to-colored gemstone, used in jewelry
10. Aquamarine / Beryl – Gemstone & industrial beryl used in electronics

⚙️ 11–20: Industrial & Construction Minerals

11. Clay (kaolin, fireclay, flint clay) – Ceramics, bricks, refractories
12. Calcite – Cement, agriculture (lime), chemical filler
13. Dolomite – Cement, steel flux, agricultural lime
14. Limestone – Cement, construction, agriculture
15. Gypsum – Plasterboard, cement retarder, soil conditioner
16. Fluorite – Metallurgy, ceramics, hydrofluoric acid production
17. Feldspar – Ceramics, glass, paints
18. Silica (quartz) – Glass, foundries, electronics
19. Barytes – Oil & gas drilling mud, paints, paper
20. Vermiculite – Insulation, horticulture, lightweight concrete

⚙️ 21–30: Base & Heavy Metals

21. Iron & Magnetite – Steel production, heavy industry
22. Copper – Electrical wiring, electronics, construction
23. Nickel – Stainless steel, batteries, alloys
24. Cobalt – Rechargeable batteries, superalloys
25. Chromium – Stainless steel and ferrochrome production
26. Lead – Batteries, ammunition, radiation shielding
27. Zinc – Galvanizing, battery production
28. Manganese – Steel alloys, dry-cell batteries
29. Molybdenum – Steel strengthening, lubricants
30. Vanadium – High-strength steel, vanadium flow batteries

⚡ 31–40: Energy & Light Hydrocarbons

31. Coal – Electricity generation, steel, cement
32. Coal-bed Methane (CBM) – Clean energy fuel, power generation
33. Uranium – Nuclear energy, power generation
34. Peat – Fuel source, horticulture
35. Salt – Industrial processes, food, water treatment

🔋 41–50: Precious & Strategic Metals

36. Gold – Jewelry, investment, electronics
37. Silver – Electronics, solar, photography
38. Platinum – Catalytic converters, jewelry, medical devices
39. Palladium – Catalysts, electronics, fuel cells
40. Antimony – Flame retardants, alloys
41. Bismuth – Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, low-tox alloys
42. Arsenic – Semiconductors, pesticides, wood preservatives
43. Cesium – Atomic clocks, oil recovery, pharmaceuticals
44. Mercury – Thermometers, batteries, industrial processes
45. Tungsten – Cutting tools, wear-resistant materials

🔋 51–63: Rare Earths & Specialty Minerals

46. Lithium – EV batteries, energy storage, ceramics
47. Tantalum – Electronics capacitors, aerospace components
48. Graphite – Batteries (anode material), lubricants
49. Mica – Insulators in electronics, cosmetics
50. Sillimanite – High‑temperature ceramics and refractories
51. Cordierite – Ceramics, kiln furniture, thermal insulators
52. Corundum – Industrial abrasives, high-speed bearings
53. Kainite – Fertilizers, de‑icing agents
54. Diatomite – Filtration, abrasives, absorbents
55. Ochre – Pigments for paint, art, historical crafts
56. Jadeite / Mtorolite – Rare ornamental stone
57. Phosphate – Fertilizer for Agriculture
58. Tin – Solder, plating, alloys
59. Pyrite – Sulfuric acid, gold by-product
60. Rutaimate – (Selenium) – Electronics, glass, pigments
61. Silver – Listed already above under precious metals (duplicate)
62. Feldspathoids / Sodalite group – Decorative stone, specialized ceramics
63. Dimension Stones (granite, marble, quartzite) – Construction, countertops, export