Zimbabwe’s population is approximately 16.67 million as of 2024, growing steadily at about 2% per year. The country is rich in natural resources with over 40 minerals, including gold, platinum group metals (PGMs), diamonds, coal, and lithium.
It has the world’s second-largest platinum reserves, around 2.8 billion ounces of PGMs, along with significant chromium deposits in the Great Dyke. The Marange Diamond Fields are well-known, with over 25 million carats mined in recent years.
Lithium, key to global battery production, is abundant in the Bikita area. Zimbabwe’s fertile land drives strong agricultural output, with tobacco exports hitting roughly $1.3 billion annually.
Zimbabwe’s Natural Resources And Their Locations
Here are the resources that have been found in Zimbabwe and their locations:
| Natural Resources | Locations |
|---|---|
| Gold | Kwekwe, Kadoma, Gweru |
| Platinum | Great Dyke (Kwekwe, Makonde) |
| Diamonds | Marange (Mutare) |
| Lithium | Bikita |
| Coal | Hwange |
| Chromium | Great Dyke (Mberengwa) |
| Copper | Kadoma |
| Nickel | Great Dyke (Bubi) |
| Emeralds | Gutu |
| Iron Ore | Kwekwe |
The Discovery Of Zimbabwe’s Natural Resources
Zimbabwe has over 40 mineral types, including gold, platinum, diamonds, coal, and lithium. The mining sector earns over $2 billion annually and contributes around 80% of the country’s export revenue.
These resources have been discovered at different times, each influencing national growth in distinct ways. Ancient gold mining in the Great Zimbabwe era (11th–15th century) played a major part in trade, with rich deposits found in areas such as Kadoma and Kwekwe.
Iron smelting also supported communities by supplying tools and weapons. During the colonial period, coal was discovered in Hwange, and it continues to be a key energy source.
The country also contains one of Africa’s largest coal-bed methane reserves. Diamonds were later uncovered in the Marange Fields in the 1990s, reaching global significance by 2013 when Zimbabwe contributed about 13% of the world’s diamond output.
Platinum deposits in the Great Dyke attracted notable interest, with Zimbabwe now holding the world’s second-largest platinum reserves.
After independence, major lithium deposits were found in Bikita. Lithium has grown into a key export, driven by global demand for batteries and industrial use.
Tourism also gained economic importance, with destinations like Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park becoming central to ecotourism strategies.
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Viability Of Zimbabwe’s Natural Resources
Infrastructure issues continue to affect the cost and efficiency of Zimbabwean resource extraction. The lack of direct rail links to ports increases transport costs by up to 30%.
In the coal sector, for instance, moving coal from Hwange to Mozambique’s Beira port without a direct railway connection led to an extra $100 million in transport expenses in 2020 alone.
This not only reduces competitiveness but discourages investment in large-scale mining operations. Technological limitations also slow down mineral development. Efficient extraction requires modern systems, yet there has been little investment in advanced exploration tools.
The Zimbabwe Geological Survey estimates that $10 million invested in modern geological mapping could uncover mineral deposits worth over $1 billion, including high-value resources like lithium and coal-bed methane.
Dr. T. Moyo of the Geological Survey warns that continued reliance on outdated methods risks missing discoveries that could boost national income. On the policy front, frequent changes in regulations create uncertainty.
Inconsistent rules, such as a sudden gold royalty hike from 2.5% to 5% in 2019, caused a 10% drop in production due to weakened investor confidence. Such unpredictability limits private sector interest in long-term projects.
Export Potential Of Zimbabwe’s Natural Resources
Zimbabwe’s economy relies on its abundant natural resources, many of which have strong export potential.
Gold
Gold is Zimbabwe’s leading export, generating over $3.68 billion in 2023. Key export markets include the UAE, Switzerland, and the UK. In early 2025, earnings rose by 8.64%, totaling $240.1 million within two months.
Around 65% of the country’s gold output comes from small-scale and artisanal miners. Zimbabwe benefits from high-grade gold and competitive production costs, aligning with steady global demand driven by the jewelry and investment sectors.
Platinum
With the world’s second-largest platinum reserves, mostly in the Great Dyke, Zimbabwe earns about $1.02 billion annually from platinum group metals. These exports are in demand globally for use in catalytic converters and electronics.
Lithium
Lithium is increasingly important, given its role in battery production and electric vehicles. The Bikita deposits rank among Africa’s largest. As demand for clean energy grows, Zimbabwe is positioned to meet global needs due to its sizable lithium reserves.
Diamonds
Marange Diamond Fields have produced over 76 million carats since 2010. In August 2022, $7 million worth of industrial diamonds were exported.
Although production levels vary, diamonds continue to be a profitable export with high global demand. Improving mining efficiency could further boost output.
Tobacco
Tobacco is the country’s top agricultural export, earning around $1.3 billion annually. Major buyers include China and Europe.
Zimbabwe benefits from high-quality leaf production and a favorable climate, sustaining its position in the global market.
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Economic Impact Of Zimbabwe’s Natural Resources
Zimbabwe’s natural resources are key to its economy, with key sectors like mining, agriculture, and tourism significantly contributing to GDP, employment, and foreign currency earnings.
Contribution To GDP
The mining sector, gold, platinum, and diamonds contribute about 4.5%. Agriculture, driven by crops like tobacco and cotton, adds around 15%.
Tourism, supported by natural landmarks such as Victoria Falls, further boosts GDP through ecotourism. In 2022, the mining sector brought in over $2 billion.
Employment
Natural resources also support a large portion of the country’s workforce. Mining employs about 5% directly, with additional jobs created in sectors like transport and manufacturing.
Agriculture is a primary livelihood for rural populations, covering both formal and informal employment. In 2020, over 50,000 people were directly employed in mining.
Foreign Currency Earnings
Natural resource exports are essential for earning foreign currency. Gold, tobacco, and diamonds top the list of export commodities. In 2022, gold exports generated $4.48 billion, while tobacco earned roughly $1.3 billion per year.