Latest Mineral Production Statistics for 2019 to 2023 Released

The British Geological Survey (BGS) released the latest volume of World Mineral Production, providing data on over 70 mineral commodities from 2019 to 2023.

• Reports challenges in data collection due to geopolitical instability in the Middle East, Ukraine, South America, and Central Africa.
• Highlights China’s dominant role in supplying key minerals for green energy tech, including graphite, refined gallium, and germanium, with export restrictions impacting trade dynamics.
• Notes significant decreases in production of tungsten (globally down 15%, China down 18%) and mercury (down 45%) over five years.
• Lithium, nickel, and cobalt production increased notably in 2023, linked to lithium-ion battery demand, with lithium up 30%, cobalt up 23%, and nickel up 15% in the last year alone.
• UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre (CMIC) actively supports analysis and foresight on critical minerals supply security.
  The report underscores global mineral supply shifts critical for green energy technologies and calls attention to international trade and security concerns affecting production and availability.