ZIMBABWE’S chrome ore production has experienced a volatile decade, characterised by a dramatic collapse from a 2014 peak and a subsequent strong, though partially retreating, recovery, according to official Ministry of Mines data.
Output began the period strongly, reaching 1.78 million metric tonnes (MT) in 2014, but however fell, plunging over 85% to a low of 230,000 MT by 2016.
This period of severely depressed output, remaining below 400,000 MT, continued through 2018.
A significant rebound began in 2019, with production climbing steadily to reach a near-peak of 1.55 million MT in 2021.
This recovery, however, lost momentum in the most recent years. Output slightly declined to 1.27 million MT in 2022 and fell further to 1.15 million MT in 2023, indicating a recent stabilisation at a level below the previous highs.
The data illustrates a sector that has regained substantial ground from its mid-decade lows but continues to face challenges in sustaining its peak production levels.
The country’s chrome production is projected to increase from 2.5 million MT in 2024 to 2.7 million MT in 2025, driven by the revitalization of plants like ZimAlloys. – IOW Data.
