BUSINESS / MINING, DRILLING and QUARRYING

List: Top Ten Zinc Mining Countries by Metric Tons Produced

Date: 2005

Source: USGS

Base: All countries mining zinc in the world (zinc content of concentrate and direct shipping ore)

Notes: According to the 2005 British Geological Survey report, China produces almost one-fourth of global zinc output. Countries producing over 100,000 tons but just outside the top ten include: Russia, Poland, Iran, Brazil and Bolivia. Zinc is one of several commodities benefiting from the expanding global economy and where demand from China and other parts of the developing world is surging. Zinc is the fourth most common metal in use, trailing only iron, aluminium, and copper in annual production. It is most commonly used to galvanize steel to prevent corrosion and as an alloy in the creation of brass, nickelled silver, typewriter metal, various soldering formulas. Other important uses include: as the primary metal used in making American cents since 1982, for die casting, notably in the automobile industry, and as part of the containers of batteries. Mines and refineries in Europe include Umicore in Belgium, Tara, Galmoy and Lisheen in Ireland and Zinkgruvan in Sweden.