Aterian’s Rwanda unit reports US$154,000 Q3 gross profit

Zimbabwe's chrome and ferrochrome sales generated about US$221.8 million in export earnings in the first half of 2026, according to Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) figures cited as the government steps up enforcement in the chrome sector. The figure underlines what is at stake in the crackdown on illegal alluvial chrome mining, which the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development began on September 25. In a public notice dated October 2, 2026, Permanent Secretary Dr Thomas Utete Wushe directed all mining rights holders, regardless of scale, with outstanding statutory obligations to regularize their rights by December 31 or risk losing their claims. The notice came alongside the nationwide blitz inspections of alluvial chrome mining operations and processing plants, which are initially targeting Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Midlands provinces before extending to other parts of the country. Chrome is one of Zimbabwe's strategic minerals, and the ministry has asked the public to report suspected illegal alluvial chrome mining. The enforcement drive is meant to ensure that production comes from holders of valid mining rights, with operators found in breach facing suspension and other penalties.

The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) expects Chinese smelter requirements and restocking to support chrome ore demand in the fourth quarter, although ferrochrome buying remains cautious. The outlook was presented alongside MMCZ's nine-month sales figures at a lithium media workshop and tour. MMCZ also expects commodity prices generally to stay significantly above 2025 levels over the period. MMCZ's sales rose 101.8% year-on-year to US$4.74 billion in the nine months to September, from US$2.347 billion a year earlier, with volumes up 23.4% to 4.738 million mt. The figures exclude gold and silver, which fall outside the corporation's marketing mandate. Lithium overtook PGMs as the largest revenue earner at US$2.16 billion, or 45.6% of sales. September sales alone reached US$685.03 million, up 116.6% year-on-year, while volumes rose 70.8% to about 844,001 mt. High-carbon ferrochrome and chrome concentrate were among the products that recorded increases in both value and volume, alongside steel, metallurgical coke, granite and diamonds. MMCZ General Manager Dr Nomusa Moyo attributed the broader improvement to higher international commodity prices, increased beneficiation, enhanced production, new markets and efforts to curb mineral leakages.

During China’s 2026 National Day holiday, overseas molybdenum prices were stable before firming. Busan 57% molybdenum oxide indications rose to $33.25–33.40/lb Mo on October 7, although higher levels await transaction confirmation. Ferromolybdenum trading remained subdued. Accidents and labour disruptions at Chilean mines increased supply uncertainty, but no measurable losses were confirmed. SMM expects prices to remain elevated and rangebound after the holiday......