Zimbabwe has reported a 30% surge in spodumene focus exports within the first half of 2025, regardless of a major drop in world lithium costs, reported Reuters, based mostly on statistics from the Minerals Advertising and marketing Company of Zimbabwe (MMCZ).
The nation, Africa’s main lithium producer, exported 586,197 tonnes (t) of the lithium-bearing mineral between January and June, in comparison with 451,824t throughout the identical interval within the earlier 12 months.
Costs of lithium, a vital part of renewable vitality expertise batteries, have plummeted by practically 90% over the previous two years, primarily as a result of oversupply.
Nevertheless, producers stay optimistic concerning the long-term prospects of the metallic, given the worldwide shift in the direction of cleaner vitality and electrical automobiles.
MMCZ stated: “A notable market contradiction was noticed within the lithium sector, the place costs declined regardless of a steady rise in demand for lithium metallic.”
The costs are anticipated to enhance within the medium time period.
Chinese language firms resembling Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine, Chengxin Lithium Group, Yahua Group and Tsingshan maintain a dominant place in Zimbabwe’s lithium mining business.
These firms have collectively invested greater than $1.4bn (10.05bn yuan) since 2021 to accumulate and develop lithium property within the nation, as per MMCZ.
Final month, Reuters reported that Zimbabwe plans to ban the export of lithium concentrates, ranging from 2027, to encourage native processing.
Huayou, which exported 400,000t of lithium focus from Zimbabwe in 2024, has commenced the development of a lithium sulphate plant inside the nation, with an annual capability of fifty,000t.
Equally, Sinomine has revealed its intention to assemble a $500m lithium sulphate plant at its Bikita mine in Zimbabwe.
Lithium sulphate is a necessary intermediate product that may be refined into battery-grade supplies resembling lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate, that are essential in battery manufacturing.
“Zimbabwe lithium exports soar 30% in H1 2025, defying value hunch” was initially created and printed by Mining Know-how, a GlobalData owned model.
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