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World mineral statistics
The British Geological Survey has one of the largest databases in the world on the production and trade of minerals. Information is compiled from a wide range of sources: home and overseas government departments, national statistical offices, specialist commodity authorities, company reports, and a network of contacts throughout the world.
The database compilers aim for integrity and accuracy in the data and, for quality control purposes, participate in international specialist groups, and maintain close links with other mineral statistics providers in Europe and North America. The data provides essential mineral intelligence for:
- security of supply issues
- economic analyses
- environmental issues
- sustainable development planning
- regulation and policy issues
- commercial strategic planning
The data is available through a suite of publications (free to download in pdf format), including:
World Mineral Production
The annual publication World Mineral Production contains production statistics, by country, for the majority of economically important mineral commodities, including ferrous and non–ferrous metals, industrial minerals and hydrocarbons.
Commentary is provided detailing the characteristics, uses, production trends, prices and recent industry events for 11 commodities including: bauxite/alumina/aluminium, coal, cobalt, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, nickel, platinum, uranium and zinc. Also available in hard copy from the BGS online shop.
World Mineral Statistics archive
The World Mineral Statistics archive contains all previous editions of World Mineral Production plus a selection of its predecessor publication World Mineral Statistics, which contains import and export data in addition to mineral production.
Historical data, not yet contained in the World Mineral Statistics archive, can be supplied on request. We have production tables from 1913 for most of the commodities and trade tables from 1913 to 2002. More recent years can be supplied digitally either in ’Rich Text Format‘ or ’MS Excel‘. Tables can be supplied either by country or commodity. If you would like to request tables, or get an update on the next edition of World Mineral Production please email the Minerals team.
Mineral Information and Statistics for the BRIC countries
The term ‘BRIC’, used to refer to the four countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China, has become almost synonymous with the rise of emerging economies in the global market. This report aims to present production and trade data for each of the four countries between 1999 and 2008, relating to the majority of economically important mineral commodities. It provides some analysis of the 10 year trends and includes a synopsis of the main physiographic, geological and demographic features of each country. In addition, the extent and locations of the major reserves, producing districts and deposits are described, together with some indications of where expansions to these are expected in the near future.
Download the Mineral Information and Statistics for the BRIC countries (11.41Mb)
Regional Publications
For statistics relating specifically to Europe, please consult our European Mineral Statistics page.
African Mineral Production
African Mineral Production 2001–2005 (1.2Mb) is a World Mineral Statistics regional report containing five–year production tables for all countries in Africa. Also available in hard copy from the BGS online shop.
China and South East Asia Mineral Production
China and South East Asia Mineral Production 2001–2005 (432kb) is a World Mineral Statistics regional report containing five-year production tables, and short commentaries, for 12 countries in this region. Also available in hard copy from the BGS online shop.
South American Mineral Production
South American Mineral Production 1997-2006 is a World Mineral Statistics regional report containing te–year mineral production tables, and short commentaries, for all countries in South America. Also available in hard copy from the BGS online shop.
