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.

To improve data coverage for some of the rarer metals, which are so important for the latest technologies, this volume also includes production data relating to indium and rhenium and some information relating to gallium.

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 together with all editions of its predecessor publications World Mineral Statistics (1970 to 2002), Statistical Summary of the Minerals Industry (1942 to 1971), and Mineral Statistics of the British Empire and Foreign Countries (1913 to 1947). These predecessor publications also contain import and export data for many of the mineral commodities in addition to mineral production.

In addition, data from 1992 to present can be downloaded in MS Excel format.

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.