Infographic

Zinc in numbers

Zinc (Zn) drawn as one poster: 13 Mt of world mine production in 2025, China the largest producer, 5 critical mineral lists. Scroll to draw it, then download it as SVG or PNG.

PROSPECTOR TRAILS · INFOGRAPHIC · DATA YEAR 2025ZincZnBase metal · symbol ZnZinc is mainly used for galvanising steel against corrosion, with die-casting, brass andchemicals making up most of the rest.WORLD MINE PRODUCTION 202513 MtZn content. USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries.TOP PRODUCER: CHINA32%4.1 Mt of the world total in 2025.WORLD RESERVES 2025240 MtLargest in Australia (64 Mt). Zn content.CRITICAL MINERAL LISTS5Current government critical or strategic lists namingzinc, across 5 jurisdictions.TOP 3 PRODUCERS52%US NET IMPORT RELIANCE 202573%PRICE 20252,870 $/mtTOP PRODUCERS 2025Where zinc comes fromChina4.1 Mt32%Peru1.5 Mt12%Australia1.1 Mt8.5%India870 kt6.7%Mexico780 kt6.0%United States670 kt5.2%Bolivia500 kt3.8%Russia430 kt3.3%Kazakhstan360 kt2.8%Sweden230 kt1.8%Mine production, Zn content. Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, estimates.Mine output was about 13 Mt in 2025: China 4.1 Mt, Peru 1.5 Mt, Australia 1.1 Mt, then India, Mexicoand the US. Reserves are about 240 Mt. Mining concentration is moderate (top three about 52%).1900–2022A century of zinc production0.00 t3.8 Mt7.5 Mt11 Mt15 Mt190019171935195219701987200520222022: 13 Mt1900: 479 ktWorld production, USGS column 'World production'. Source: USGS Data Series 140, historical statistics.PRODUCING COUNTRIES10 countries reported zinc output in 2025Filled countries produce it; brighter is larger. Outline map simplified from Natural Earth.TRADE FLOWS 2024Biggest zinc trade routesAustralia → China$886 mPeru → China$816 mMexico → South Korea$441 mUnited States → Canada$427 mBolivia → China$318 mHS 260800: Zinc ores and concentrates. World trade $12 bn in 2024. Source: CEPII BACI (HS22).POLICYOn the critical listsUnited States (USGS): critical 2025United Kingdom (BGS): critical 2024Australia: strategic 2024Canada: critical 2024South Korea: critical 2023prospectortrails.comSources: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, CEPII BACI, IEA (CC BY 4.0), World Bank,government lists. Figures rounded.PROSPECTOR TRAILSOpen data, drawn in numbers
Zinc infographic: world production, top producers, reserves, a century of output, producing countries on a map, trade routes, critical lists. Data year 2025.

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The numbers

The figures on the poster, with their sources. Production and reserves are USGS estimates, trade values are CEPII BACI customs data, demand is the IEA's outlook.

World mine production, 2025
13 Mt (Zn content) USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
Largest producer
China, 4.1 Mt (32% of world) USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
Top three producers' share
52% USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
World reserves, 2025
240 Mt (Zn content), largest in Australia USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
Critical mineral lists
5 current lists in 5 jurisdictions (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, South Korea, United States) government critical mineral lists
US net import reliance, 2025
73% USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
Price, 2025
2,870 $/mt (Zinc (nominal USD; LME high grade, min 99.95% purity, settlement price (from Apr 1990))) World Bank Pink Sheet
World production, 1900
479 kt (USGS historical series, as reported) USGS Data Series 140 (historical statistics)
World production, 2022 (historical series)
13 Mt USGS Data Series 140 (historical statistics)
Largest trade flow, 2024
Australia → China, $886 m (HS 260800, Zinc ores and concentrates); world trade $12 bn CEPII BACI trade database

Sources

USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 · USGS Data Series 140 (historical statistics) · CEPII BACI trade database · government critical mineral lists. Figures are rounded; country names follow our atlas.

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Zinc storyWhere zinc is minedCritical mineral listsAll infographics