Review of Selected Global Mineral Industries in 2011 and 

an Outlook to 2017

By W. David Menzie, Yadira Soto-Viruet, Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo, Philip M. Mobbs, Alberto Alexander Perez, 

Mowafa Taib, Susan Wacaster, and Staff

Open-File Report 2013–1091

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

SALLY JEWELL, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Suzette M. Kimball, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2013 

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its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment—visit 

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Suggested citation:

Menzie, W.D., Soto-Viruet, Yadira, Bermúdez-Lugo, Omayra, Mobbs, P.M., Perez, A.A., Taib, Mowafa, 

Wacaster, Susan, and Staff, 2013, Review of selected global mineral industries in 2011 and an outlook 

to 2017: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013–1091, 33 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2013/1091. 

Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government. 

Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain

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iii

Contents

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Economic Conditions ..................................................................................................................................................... 1

Mineral Markets ............................................................................................................................................................. 2

Metals ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2

Industrial Minerals...................................................................................................................................................... 5

Mineral Fuels and Related Materials.......................................................................................................................... 6

Strategic Minerals.......................................................................................................................................................... 9

Mergers and Acquisitions ............................................................................................................................................ 10

Exploration................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Resource Nationalization............................................................................................................................................. 14

Outlook ........................................................................................................................................................................ 15

References Cited......................................................................................................................................................... 16

Tables

1. Historic and projected bauxite mine production, 2000–2017 .......................................................................... 22

 2. Historic and projected primary and secondary aluminum metal production, 2000–2017 ................................ 23

 3. Historic and projected cobalt mine production, 2000–2017 ............................................................................ 24

 4. Historic and projected copper mine production, 2000–2017........................................................................... 25

 5. Historic and projected refined copper metal production, 2000–2017 .............................................................. 26

 6. Historic and projected gold mine production, 2000–2017 ............................................................................... 27

 7. Historic and projected beneficiated iron ore production, 2000–2017 .............................................................. 28

 8. Historic and projected crude steel production, 2000–2017 ............................................................................. 29

 9. Historic and projected palladium mine production, 2000–2017....................................................................... 30

 10. Historic and projected platinum mine production, 2000–2017 ........................................................................ 30

 11. Historic and projected tin mine production, 2000–2017 .................................................................................. 31

 12. Historic and projected tin metal production, 2000–2017 ................................................................................. 31

 13. Historic and projected diamond production, 2000–2017................................................................................. 32

 14. Historic and projected lithium production, 2000–2017 .................................................................................... 32

 15. Historic and projected salable coal production, 2000–2017............................................................................ 33

 
iv

Conversion Factors

Inch/Pound to SI

Multiply By To obtain

Length

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Mass

ounce, avoirdupois (oz) 28.35 gram (g) 

ounce, troy 31.1035 gram (g) 

pound, avoirdupois (lb) 0.4536 kilogram (kg) 

ton, short (2,000 lb) 0.9072 megagram (Mg); metric ton (t)

ton, long (2,240 lb) 1.016 megagram (Mg); metric ton (t)

ton per day (ton/d) 0.9072 metric ton per day (t/d)

ton per year (ton/yr) 0.9072 metric ton per year (t/yr)

SI to Inch/Pound

Multiply By To obtain

Length

kilometer (km) 0.6214 mile (mi)

Mass

gram (g) 0.03527 ounce, avoirdupois (oz)

gram (g) 0.03215 ounce, troy

kilogram (kg) 2.205 pound avoirdupois (lb)

megagram (Mg); metric ton (t) 1.102 ton, short (2,000 lb)

megagram (Mg); metric ton (t) 0.9842 ton, long (2,240 lb)

metric ton per day (t/d) 1.102 ton per day (ton/d) 

metric ton per year (t/yr) 1.102 ton per year (ton/yr) 
1 

Review of Selected Global Mineral Industries in 2011 and 

an Outlook to 2017

By W. David Menzie, Yadira Soto-Viruet, Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo, Philip M. Mobbs, Alberto Alexander Perez, 

Mowafa Taib, Susan Wacaster, and Staff

Introduction

This report reviews the world production of selected mineral commodities in 2011 and includes 

output projections (based on planned capacity expansions) through 2017. It also includes brief 

discussions of several issues that are of importance to the mineral sector, including the world economy, 

the availability of strategic minerals, significant company mergers and acquisitions in 2011, exploration 

investment made during the year, and the moves towards resource nationalization and expropriation of 

mineral assets by national Governments.

Economic Conditions

In 2011, the general condition of the world economy was that of a transition from a downturn to 

a slow recovery. This slow recovery, however, varied in magnitude from country to country and from 

industry to industry. There was no generalized pattern of recovery, and fears of a double-dip recession 

remained throughout the year. Slow growth is forecast for Europe, Japan, and the United States for 

2012; however, there is a continuing possibility that the recovery could turn into a small decrease in 

world production of manufactured products. 

China continued to be the world economy’s primary engine of growth during 2011 as it has been 

since 2000, although the country’s real growth rate as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP) 

dropped to 9.2 percent in 2011 from 10.4 percent in 2010. China remained the most significant single 

producer and a growing consumer of a wide variety of raw and processed minerals, including 

aluminum, antimony, barite, bismuth, cadmium, cement, coal, fluorspar, germanium, gold, graphite, 

indium, iron ore, lead, magnesium compounds and metal, mercury, molybdenum, rare earths, steel, 

strontium, tin, tungsten, and zinc. China’s economy has grown at an average rate of 10.9 percent in the 

past 7 years (2005 to 2011). Since 2000, the Chinese Government has embarked on an ambitious 

program of public works projects, including making improvements to transportation and other basic 

infrastructure, which has required large amounts of mineral commodities. China also has become a 

major producer of manufactured goods and a principal commercial partner to the European Union, the 

United States, and much of the rest of the world (Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the 

United States of America, 2009; Davis, 2012a; U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, 2012). 

Brazil’s economy grew by only 2.8 percent in 2011 compared with 7.5 percent in 2010, or by 

one-half of the rate that the Government expected for 2011. It is likely that the European debt crisis and 

the slow economic recovery in the United States affected its growth; however, it also appears that 

Brazil, which has benefited from increased mineral exports in recent years, is suffering from a bout of 

Dutch disease—the phenomenon in which a boom in natural resource exports leads to currency 
2 

appreciation, which in turn leads to a decrease in exports from other sectors of the economy. Higher 

interest rates in Brazil have attracted large amounts of foreign capital that, along with Brazil’s mineral 

exports, have increased the value of the Brazilian currency. This, in turn, has made Brazil’s exports of 

manufactured goods less competitive and is making imports more attractive, as in the case of its 

automotive industry. Mexican automobiles have become less expensive than those produced in Brazil, 

and auto imports from Mexico have increased. As a result, Brazil is seeking a treaty with Mexico to 

reduce Mexico’s automobile exports into Brazil. Brazil is a resource-rich nation and, therefore, is 

sensitive to changes in patterns of mineral consumption in the world, especially that of China (one of its 

major trade partners), the United States, and the European Union. Any major changes in the 

consumption and production of these countries are likely to affect the Brazilian economy greatly. Also, 

Brazil will host the 2014 Soccer World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. In anticipation of 

these events, major public works projects are being developed, which is increasing public spending and 

domestic demand for mineral resources. The Government is likely to incur new debt to finance these 

projects, which could present a problem if economic growth does not increase in the near future (Iliff 

and Jeffris, 2012; Lyons and Davis, 2012; Rolli, 2012). 

The Indian economy grew at a rate of 7.8 percent in 2011 compared with 10.1 percent in 2010, 

and its services sector accounted for 55.6 percent of the GDP. The slower economic growth could make 

the Indian Government less likely to fulfill its promises of social spending and fuel subsidies that it 

expected to finance with revenues from the country’s fast-growing economy. India’s economic growth 

is limited by an insufficient supply of energy. Although the potential for increased industrial production 

in India remains positive, India, like Brazil, could be negatively affected by reduced consumption in 

Europe, Japan, and the United States (Lyons and Davis, 2012; Sharma and Bahree, 2012; Yep, 2012). 

Economic growth in Russia is expected to decrease from more than 4 percent in 2011 to about 

3.5 percent in 2012. Capital investment in Russia has slowed, and oil production is not expected to 

increase. Although some international firms are investing in Russia, others are selling their Russian 

investments. Disruptions in the delivery of natural gas from Russia to European markets continue to 

raise questions about the reliability of the supply of Russian oil to these markets (Iosebashvili, 2012; 

Kolyandr, 2012; Peaple, 2012; Torello and Robinson, 2012). 

The sovereign debt crisis in Europe that was triggered by the potential default of Greece on its 

debt and the likely contagion that this would create on other markets, such as in Italy, Portugal, and 

Spain, created an environment of economic uncertainty in the European Union that affected both the 

ability and willingness of financial parties to invest in future projects in the mineral industry. This

climate of investment restraint seems to have affected the development of long-term mining projects 

despite the increase in prices of many commodities.

Mineral Markets

Materials in this section of the report and in tables 1 through 15 come from Fong Sam and 

others, 2012; Mobbs and others, 2012; Perez and others, 2012: Wacaster and others, 2012: and Yager 

and others, 2012, unless otherwise indicated. 

Metals

Bauxite.—In 2011, global bauxite production was about 220 million metric tons (Mt) compared 

with 216 Mt in 2010 (Bray, 2012b). Production increased in Guinea and China. Global production is 

projected to increase to 244 Mt by 2013, 279 Mt by 2015, and 312 Mt by 2017 (table 1). By 2017, 

Australia is expected to increase its bauxite production to 91 million metric tons per year (Mt/yr) owing 
3 

to the expected capacity expansions at the Weipa and the South Embley Mines and the new capacities at 

the Aurukun Cape York and the Darling Range North projects. In Guinea, China Power Investment 

Corp. planned to develop a 12-Mt/yr bauxite mine at Boffa by 2015, and Global Alumina Corp. planned 

to construct a 10-Mt/yr bauxite mine at Sangaredi by 2017. The Porto Loko Mine in Sierra Leone is 

expected to be in operation by 2015 and to produce about 10 Mt/yr of bauxite. In Saudi Arabia, the Al 

Ba’itha Mine is expected to produce 3.5 Mt/yr by 2013. In Indonesia, state-owned Antam Tbk planned 

to increase bauxite production to 850,000 metric tons per year (t/yr) in 2010. Indonesia is expected to 

increase its production capacity by 19 Mt/yr between 2010 and 2017. 

Aluminum.—World primary aluminum production in 2011 was estimated to have increased to 

44.1 Mt in 2011, which was an 8 percent increase compared with output in 2010 (Bray, 2012a). China 

remained the leading producer with an estimated 18 Mt of primary production. Output increased as 

some existing facilities restarted production after shutting down in 2008 and 2009 and as new capacity 

was brought online, mainly in China and India. The London Metal Exchange Ltd. (LME) spot price of 

aluminum averaged $2,400 per metric ton in January 2011, but prices decreased to an average of about 

$2,000 per metric ton in December. 

Global aluminum production, including primary and secondary materials, was about 51 Mt in 

2010 (table 2), and production is projected to increase to 59 Mt by 2013, 63 Mt by 2015, and 66 Mt by 

2017. In Canada, production is expected to be increased to 3.9 Mt/yr by 2017 owing to the expected 

increases in capacity at Rio Alcan’s Kitimat smelter in British Columbia and new capacity at Rio Tinto 

Alcan’s AP 60 plant in Quebec. Aluminum production in China is expected to increase by 6.8 Mt from 

2010 to 2017 owing to several projects in development, which include 11 aluminum projects that were 

under construction and would have a total production of 1.12 Mt/yr, and an additional 10 aluminum 

projects that were in the feasibility stage and would have a total capacity of 1.4 Mt/yr. 

Cobalt.—In 2010, global cobalt production was about 103,000 metric tons (t), and global output 

is projected to increase to 147,000 t by 2013, 167,000 t by 2015, and 179,000 t by 2017 (table 3). In 

Congo (Kinshasa), major expansions of capacity are planned at the Etoile, Kinsevere, Mutanda, Tenke 

Fungurume, KOV, KTO, Mukondo Mountain, and T17 Mines, which would increase the country’s 

cobalt production by 55,000 t/yr by 2017. The Ambatovy Mine in Madagascar is expected to reach a 

capacity of 4,900 t/yr by 2013 and 5,600 t/yr by 2015. Expansion of Vale Nouvelle-Calédonie’s Goro 

operation in New Caledonia is expected to increase the plant’s capacity to 3,000 t/yr of cobalt by 2017. 

Copper (Mine).—World mine output of copper is estimated to have been 16.1 Mt in 2011 

(Edelstein, 2012). Chile remained the leading producer, accounting for about 34 percent of total world 

production. The LME spot price of copper metal averaged about $9,600 per metric ton in January 2011 

but prices declined to an average of about $7,600 per metric ton in December based on concerns about 

European Union debt and changing economic policies in China (Davis, 2012a). High levels of Chinese 

imports were responsible for higher prices in the beginning of 2011. 

Global copper production was about 16 Mt in 2010, and production is projected to increase to 

18 Mt by 2013, 19 Mt by 2015, and 21 Mt by 2017 (table 4). In Congo (Kinshasa), major expansions of 

capacity are planned at the Etoile, KOV, KTO, Luiswishi, Mukondo Mountain, Ruashi, T17, and Tenke 

Fungurume Mines, which would increase the country’s copper output to 990,000 t by 2017. In 

Australia, copper production is expected to increase by 380,000 t by 2017 owing to the planned 

expansions at the Copper Hill Project, the DeGrussa operation, the Kanmantoo Mine, and the Mount 

Elliot project. In Mongolia, the Nergui Mine, the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex, and the Tsagaan 

Survarga Mine are expected to come online between 2012 and 2015, which would increase the 

country’s production capacity to 800,000 t/yr by 2017. In Chile, major expansions are planned at the 

Esperanza and Los Bronces Mines, and the country’s copper production capacity is expected to increase 
4 

by 581,000 t/yr by 2017. In Peru, new deposits are expected to be developed between 2013 and 2015, 

including Las Bambas and Los Chancas deposits in the Department of Apurimac and the Rio Blanco 

copper project in the Department of Piura. By 2012, major expansions are expected at the Antamina 

Mine in the Department of Ancash, Cerro Verde Mine in the Department of Arequipa, Cuajone Mine in 

the Department of Moquegua, and Toquepala Mine in the Department of Tacna.

Copper (Metal).—Global refined copper production was about 19 Mt in 2010, and it is 

projected to increase to 22 Mt by 2013 and 23 Mt by 2017 (table 5). Congo (Kinshasa)’s refined copper 

production is expected to increase to 899,000 t by 2017 owing to production increases at the Luilu, 

Luita, Ruashi, Tenke Fungurume, and Usoke Avenue solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX/EW) 

plants. Peru’s production is expected to increase by about 156,000 t/yr from 2010 to 2017. New capacity 

is expected to come online between 2014 and 2015, including the Galeno copper project in the 

Department of Cajamarca, the Tia María copper project in the Department of Arequipa, and the 

Toromocho deposit in the Department of Junin. By 2012, major expansions are expected at the Southern 

Peru Copper Corp. refinery and smelter at Ilo in the Department of Moquegua. 

Gold.—In 2011, gold production increased to about 2.7 million kilograms (Mkg) from 2.56 Mkg 

in 2010 (George, 2012). Market prices of gold and silver increased substantially, which reaffirmed their 

role as stores of value in times of economic uncertainty. The price of gold increased to $1,652 per troy 

ounce in December 2011 from $1,391 per troy ounce in December 2010 and $968 per troy ounce in 

March 2008, which was the month with the highest average gold prices between December 2001 and 

the worldwide financial crisis of 2008 to 2009. Increases in gold prices and production were mainly 

attributable to investment demand resulting from the worldwide financial crisis and continuing 

uncertainty in the global economy from debt problems confronting such countries as Greece, Ireland, 

Italy, Portugal, and Spain. 

Global gold production is projected to increase to 2.8 Mkg by 2013, 3.1 Mkg by 2015, and 

3.3 Mkg by 2017 (table 6). In Papua New Guinea, new capacity is expected to come online between 

2013 and 2017, including at the Frieda River, Woodlark Island, and Yandera Mines. Papua New 

Guinea’s gold production is expected to increase by about 68,000 kilograms (kg) from 2010 to 2017. In 

Australia, gold production is expected to increase by about 59,000 kg from 2010 to 2017 owing to the 

expected production increases at the Cosmo Deep Mine, the Deleton Mine, and the Tropicana jointventure project. China’s production is expected to increase by about 55,000 kilograms per year (kg/yr) 

from 2010 to 2017. In Mauritania, a major expansion was expected at the Tasiast Mine, which would 

increase the mine’s production to 49,000 kg/yr by 2017. 

Iron Ore.—In 2011, world output of iron contained in iron ore was estimated to have increased 

by about 8 percent to 1.4 billion metric tons (Gt) from 1.3 Gt in 2010 (Jorgenson, 2012). China 

remained the leading producer with about 25 percent of total production. Prices declined from January 

2011 to December 2011, and leading iron ore producers reported reduced profits in the fourth quarter of 

the year. Iron ore prices are expected to remain low for at least the short term as substantial amounts of 

new capacity are brought online in 2012 and 2013 and as Chinese steel producers attempt to increase the 

amount of scrap used in steel production. 

In 2010, global iron ore production was 1.32 Gt, and production is projected to increase to 

1.52 Gt by 2013, 1.66 Gt by 2015, and 1.75 Gt by 2017 (table 7). In China, new capacity expansions are 

planned in Anhui, Liaoning, Sichuan, and Xianjiang Provinces, which would increase the country’s 

production capacity to 430 Mt/yr by 2017. In Gabon, production is expected to begin at the Kango 

project by 2017 and to increase the country’s production capacity to about 12.8 Mt/yr. In Guinea, new 

capacity is expected to come online at the Forecariah, Kalia, Mount Nimba, Simandou (Blocks 1 and 2), 

and Simandou (Blocks 3 and 4) Mines, which would increase the country’s iron ore production capacity 
5 

to almost 120 Mt/yr by 2017. In Senegal, the Faleme Mine is expected to come onstream by 2017 with a 

capacity of 4.3 Mt/yr. In Sierra Leone, 10.1 Mt/yr was expected to be added to the country’s production 

capacity by 2017 owing to the opening of the Marampa and the Tonkolili Mines. 

Steel.—Global crude steel production increased to 1.5 Gt in 2011 from about 1.4 Gt in 2010 

(Fenton, 2012). It is projected to continue to increase to 1.6 Gt by 2013, 1.7 Gt by 2015, and more than 

1.7 Gt by 2017 (table 8). In China, capacity expansions are planned in Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hebei 

Provinces, which would increase the country’s production to 780 Mt/yr of crude steel by 2017. Major 

expansions of capacity are planned in Liaoning Province and Jilin Province, with an expected increase 

in steel production capacity of 30 Mt/yr and 10 Mt/yr, respectively. Brazil’s crude steel production 

capacity is expected to increase to about 40 Mt/yr by 2017. 

Palladium.—In 2011, global palladium production was about 207,000 kg (Loferski, 2012). It is 

projected to increase to 220,000 kg by 2013, 230,000 kg by 2015 and 236,000 kg by 2017 (table 9). In 

South Africa, palladium production is projected to increase by about 26,000 kg from 2010 to 2017 

owing to the opening of the Booysedal, Kalahari, Mareesbusg, Rooderport, and Styldrift Mines, and the 

Western Bushveld Joint Venture. Major expansions of capacity are expected at the Everest, Bokoni, 

Crocodile River, Eland, Impala, Marikana, Marula, Nkomati, Pilanesburg, and Two Rivers Mines. 

Palladium production is expected to increase in Canada and Zimbabwe to 19,000 kg/yr and 

11,000 kg/yr, respectively, by 2017. 

Platinum.—In 2011, global platinum production was about 192,000 kg (Loferski, 2012). It is 

projected to increase to 226,000 kg by 2013, 241,000 kg by 2015 and 248,000 kg by 2017 (table 10). In 

South Africa, new capacity is expected to come online at the Booysedal, Kalahari, Mareesbusg, 

Rooderport, and Styldrift Mines and the Western Bushveld Joint Venture. Major expansions of capacity 

are also expected at the Everest, Bokoni, Crocodile River, Eland, Impala, Marikana, Marula, Nkomati, 

Pilanesburg, and Two Rivers Mines, which would increase the country’s annual capacity to 193,000 kg 

by 2017. 

Tin (Mine).—In 2011, global mine production of tin was about 253,000 t (Carlin, 2012). It is 

projected to increase to 261,000 t by 2013, to decrease to 256,000 t by 2015, and to remain at that level 

through 2017 (table 11). In Egypt, new capacity is planned to come online at the Abu Dababb tin and 

tantalum mine, which is expected to begin operation by 2013 and to produce about 1,530 t/yr of tin. 

Tin (Metal).—In 2010, global production of refined tin was about 321,000 t. It is projected to 

increase to 343,000 t by 2013, 362,000 t by 2015, and 385,000 t by 2017 (table 12). In China, annual 

production capacity is expected to increase to 180,000 t/yr of refined metal by 2017. In Indonesia, the 

Yunnan Tin Co. Ltd. planned to develop a tin smelter, which would increase the country’s production 

capacity to 55,000 t/yr by 2017. In Thailand, production capacity is expected to increase to 30,000 t/yr 

by 2017. 

Industrial Minerals

Diamond.—In 2010, global diamond production (gem and industrial) was about 127 million 

carats. It is projected to increase to 137 million carats by 2013, 140 million carats by 2015, and 

143 million carats by 2017 (table 13). The reopening of the Damtshaa Mine and the opening of new 

capacities at the AK6, BK11, and Gopa Mines in Botswana would increase the country’s production 

capacity to about 28 million carats by 2013. In Canada, diamond production is expected to increase to 

16 million carats by 2017 owing to the reopening of the Jericho Mine and several early-stage projects. 

Diamond production is expected to increase in Congo (Kinshasa) and Zimbabwe by 2.7 million carats 

and 1.6 million carats, respectively, from 2010 to 2017. 
6 

Fertilizer Minerals (Nitrogen, Phosphate Rock, and Potash).—According to the Food and 

Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), consumption of fertilizer nutrients has been 

increasing since 2010, and it is expected to continue to increase through 2015. FAO projected increases 

in demand for total fertilizer nutrients from 2011 to 2015, including an increase of 1.7 percent for 

nitrogen, 1.9 percent for phosphate, and 3.1 percent for potash. As fertilizer consumption increases, food 

prices are also expected to increase. The food price index increased to 233 in 2011 compared with an 

index of 200 in 2008. Increased use of biofuels is also contributing to the increased price of foods, and 

biofuels production is expected to increase because of the high price of crude oil. About 40 percent of 

the U.S. corn crop was used for production of biofuels in 2011. Increases in world population, the use of 

biofuels, and food prices are expected to encourage farmers to apply more fertilizer to achieve higher 

yields. Global production of ammonia, diammonium phosphate (DAP), phosphate rock, phosphoric 

acid, potash, and sulfur increased by 5 percent from 2005 to 2011 (Fathallah, 2012). 

According to the International Fertilizer Association, in 2011 world production of phosphate 

rock was 191 Mt; ammonia, 163 Mt; urea, 155 Mt; potash, 56 Mt; sulfur, 51 Mt; phosphoric acid, 

42 Mt; and DAP, 33 Mt. China was the world’s leading producer of urea and accounted for 30 percent 

of global production (Apodaca, 2012; Heffer and Prud’homme, 2012; Jasinski, 2012a, b). 

China remained the leading producer of phosphate rock in 2011 and accounted for about 

38 percent of the world’s production (Jasinski, 2012a). Morocco, which was the world’s leading 

exporter of phosphate rock, entered into a joint-venture agreement with Yara International ASA of 

Norway in to build a new port facility in Rio Grande, Brazil, where Yara would process imported 

phosphate rock from Morocco into fertilizer and other products. New phosphate rock suppliers came 

online, including in Peru in 2010 and Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan in 2011. India was a major market 

for imported fertilizer in 2011; it imported 100 percent of its potash and 75 percent of its phosphate 

requirements. Indian companies have been creating joint ventures with potash and phosphate rock 

producers in Australia, Jordan, Morocco, Peru, and the United States to secure supplies of these 

commodities.

Potash was the most traded fertilizer component. Production was concentrated in 10 countries 

(Canada, Russia, Belarus, Germany, China, Israel, Jordan, the United States, Chile, and the United 

Kingdom, in descending order of production). Consumption (70 percent) took place in six countries 

(Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the United States) (Jasinski, 2012b). New plants and 

expansions at existing facilities are expected to increase the production for potash in the next few years 

in Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, China, Congo (Brazzaville), and the United Kingdom. 

Lithium.—In 2010, global lithium production was about 28,000 t. It is projected to increase to 

about 35,000 t by 2013, 41,000 t by 2015, and to remain at that level to 2017 (table 14). In Australia, a 

major expansion of processing capacity is planned at Greenbushes by 2017. In Canada, the Quebec 

Lithium Project was expected to begin operation by 2013 and to produce about 3,000 t/yr of lithium by 

2017. By 2017, lithium production capacity in Brazil is expected to increase to about 510 t/yr. 

Mineral Fuels and Related Materials

Coal.—In 2011, world coal production increased to about 7.7 Gt from 7.3 Gt in 2010. At 

yearend 2011, the total estimated proven global reserves of coal was estimated to be about 861 Gt. 

Europe and Eurasia had the largest reserves (35.4 percent of the world total) led by Russia (18.2 percent 

of the world total), followed by the Asia and the Pacific region (30.9 percent), North America 

(28.5 percent), the Middle East and Africa (3.8 percent), and South America and Central America 

(1.5 percent) (BP p.l.c., 2012, p. 30, 32). 
7 

From 2000 through 2010, growth in global energy demand was satisfied primarily by coal 

supplies. Global coal demand is expected to increase to about 600,000 metric tons per day by 2016, 

despite prices that have been increasing sharply and fluctuating since about 2004. Although the prices of 

coking coal and steam coal have increased, the price for coking coal has been increasing more rapidly 

since about 2005. China is expected to have the largest increase in coal production. The country 

generates about 70 percent of its electricity from coal (Houssin, 2012). 

According to the International Energy Agency, coal will make a substantial contribution to the 

global energy mix to 2016. The global supply of, demand for, investment in, and trade of coal will 

depend upon such uncertainties as the level of economic activity, port capacities, mining capacities, 

Chinese growth and trade policies, supply shocks, and long-term changes in the nature and rate of 

decarbonization (Houssin, 2012). 

Global coal production is projected to increase to 7.7 Gt by 2013, 8.0 Gt by 2015, and 8.3 Gt by 

2017 (table 15). In Australia, major expansions of capacity are planned at the Hunter Valley and Ulan 

West Coal Mines in the State of New South Wales, which would increase the country’s production 

capacity to 560 Mt/yr. In China, Shenhua Coal Group planned to develop the Buertai Coal Mine in Nei 

Mogol Autonomous Region with a designed capacity of 20 Mt/yr of coal. The Government of China 

expected to increase coal production in Shanxi Province to 750 Mt/yr by 2012. 

Natural Gas.—According to the International Energy Agency, global resources of natural gas 

are estimated to exceed 250 times the production volume of 2011. The Eastern Europe and Eurasia 

region had the greatest quantity of proven reserves and other recoverable conventional gas (nearly 

140 trillion cubic meters) followed by the Middle East (about 120 trillion cubic meters). Other 

regions—which included Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Western Europe, Latin America, and North 

America—were each reported to have between about 20 trillion cubic meters and 40 trillion cubic 

meters in proven reserves and other recoverable conventional gas. In terms of recoverable 

unconventional gas resources, the Eastern Europe and Eurasia region and the North America region 

were each reported to have between 90 trillion cubic meters and 100 trillion cubic meters followed by 

the Asia and the Pacific region, about 80 trillion cubic meters; Latin America, about 50 trillion cubic 

meters; Africa, about 40 trillion cubic meters; and Western Europe and the Middle East, about 

20 trillion cubic meters each (Houssin, 2012; van der Hoeven, 2012). 

According to BP p.l.c., global production of natural gas in 2011 was about 3.3 trillion cubic 

meters. Europe and Eurasia accounted for about 32 percent of the total, followed by Russia with about 

18 percent of the world total. Europe and Eurasia was followed by North America (26 percent), the Asia 

and the Pacific region (about 15 percent), the Middle East (about 14 percent), Africa (about 6 percent), 

and Central America and South America (5 percent). Natural gas trade grew by 10.1 percent in 2010 

because of a 22.6 percent increase in liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. LNG accounted for 

30.5 percent of the global gas trade; the Middle East was the leading exporting region. Qatar was the 

world’s leading LNG supplier, and its exports increased by 53.2 percent from those in 2009. Pipeline 

shipments increased by 5.4 percent in 2010 and were led by Russia. Europe and Eurasia accounted for 

about two-thirds of global trade in natural gas by pipeline (BP p.l.c., 2012; Global LNG Ltd., 2012).

In 2011, interest in Europe’s shale gas reserves increased. Despite controversy concerning the 

process by which it is produced, unconventional shale gas has emerged as an important part of the active 

energy portfolio in North America and is a potentially important source of natural gas around the world 

as well. In Europe, Exxon Mobil Corp. of the United States explored for shale gas in Poland and 

Germany. Poland was expected to release an official shale gas estimate of about 1 trillion cubic meters 

in 2012, which is only about one-fifth of what had been previously estimated by other sources. Poland 

still planned to develop the shale gas to reduce its dependency on domestically produced coal and on 
8 

gas imports. Poland granted more than 100 shale-gas exploration licenses, but ExxonMobil reported that 

it had not yet found commercial quantities of gas. The company reported that it could be 5 years before 

European shale production comes online and stated that Germany was likely to be the first European 

shale gas producer, provided Germany does not ban the hydraulic fracturing process that is required to 

recover that gas. Some very large shale gas finds have been reported elsewhere in Europe but little or no 

exploratory drilling has been conducted (Bergin, 2012; Thomson Reuters, 2012c). 

The Chinese Government released a plan in early 2012 announcing its intention to begin 

producing large volumes of shale gas, and that production was expected to reach 6.5 billion cubic 

meters in 2015 and at least 10 times that by 2020. Large-scale exploration, however, had not yet begun 

in the country when the report was released, but the Government urged Chinese companies to work with 

foreign entities with expertise in finding and exploiting unconventional natural gas resources. China’s 

Ministry of Land and Resources reported that the country has about 25 trillion cubic meters of 

potentially recoverable shale gas reserves, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimated 

Chinese reserves to be about 36 trillion cubic meters (Chen, 2012). 

OAO Gazprom of Russia, which was the world’s leading natural gas exporter, planned to supply 

LNG to India starting in 2016, but this is also the year that the United States is expected to begin 

exporting shale gas as record production in North America has driven down U.S. prices of this 

commodity. Such exports could compete with Russian exports to Asian gas markets. Asia accounts for 

more than 60 percent of global demand for LNG, and the region imported about 178 billion cubic 

meters in 2010. GAIL India Ltd., which was India’s leading gas supplier, was the first Asian company 

to buy U.S. natural gas in 2011 when it signed a 20-year deal with Cheniere Energy Partners LP, which 

planned to supply 3.5 Mt/yr starting in 2017. Gazprom already had tentative long-term supply 

agreements in 2011 with GAIL and several other companies, but the Russian supplier ties the price in 

long-term contracts to the price of oil. Some European customers have resisted such pricing, and China 

has refused to pay Russia prices for natural gas that are equivalent to those it charges European 

customers (Shiryaevskaya, 2012). 

In 2011, Japan’s utility companies consumed a record 5 Mt of LNG compared with 3.47 Mt in 

2010, as the country was forced to offset the decline in nuclear power generation in the aftermath of the 

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. The accident resulted in a record 12.1 percent 

decrease in electricity production compared with that of 2010. Inpex Corp. of Japan, which was the 

country’s top oil and gas developer, announced in early 2012 that it would buy a 15.55 percent stake in 

the Prelude floating LNG project in Australia from Royal Dutch Shell plc of the Netherlands. The 

Prelude project was expected to be the first floating LNG project to come online, although several other 

projects were expected to come online by the end of the decade (Maeda, 2011; Negishi and Tsukimori, 

2012). 

Uranium.—As a result of Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident that occurred on 

March 11, 2011, uncertainty about the role of nuclear power increased significantly and led to policy 

changes, particularly in Europe where Germany voted to end nuclear power generation by 2022. Around 

the world, the event heightened the awareness of and debate about nuclear energy. In June 2012, Japan 

restarted its first nuclear reactor No. 3 at the Oi complex, which is operated by Kansai Electric Power 

Co. The country planned to restart its second reactor (No. 4), which is located 370 kilometers west of 

Tokyo, in July 2012. After the earthquake and the tsunami, 50 nuclear reactors were taken offline for 

maintenance and tests; however, no further details were available as to when the other reactors would be 

restarted. Prior to the Fukushima Daiichi accident, the price of uranium had been as high as $73 per 

pound ($161,000 per metric ton); at the time of the accident, it was $66 per pound ($145,000 per metric 

ton). By yearend 2011, the price had fallen to $52 per pound ($115,000 per metric ton). Nevertheless, 
9 

some countries, including China, India, the Republic of Korea, and Russia, reportedly remained 

committed to ambitious nuclear programs similar to those that were adopted in the 1970s when the first 

global oil shock resulted in nuclear power expansion in France, Japan, and the United States. The 

Fukushima accident led some countries, including the United States, to comprehensively review their 

nuclear power generation operations for safety, focusing primarily on backup power systems that would 

provide protection against extreme external events. As of mid- to late-2011, there were 65 reactors 

under construction worldwide, including 5 in the Republic of Korea, which already had 21 connected to 

the grid; 2 in Japan, which had 50 connected to the grid at the time of the accident; and 1 in the 

United States, which has 104 reactors connected to the power grid. Canada had 17 reactors connected to 

its power grid but none under construction. Canada’s deuterium reactors supply about 15 percent of the 

country’s electricity. France, which has 58 nuclear reactors, obtains more than 75 percent of its 

electricity from nuclear energy; in fact, it is the largest net exporter of electricity because of its low cost 

of generation. France uses about 12,000 t of uranium oxide concentrate (10,500 t of uranium) per year, 

of which 4,500 t comes from Canada’s Areva reactor, and 3,200 t comes from Niger. About 17 percent 

of France’s electricity is from recycled nuclear fuel (Natural Resources Canada, 2009; Mining Journal, 

2011a, b; Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2011; Gordon, 2012; Maeda, 

2012a, b; World Nuclear Association, 2012). 

Strategic Minerals

There has been a great deal of concern about the availability of minerals needed for industrial 

production in Europe, Japan, and the United States in recent years. Much of the concern has crystallized 

around rare-earth elements, which have received very broad attention in both the media and professional 

circles. China is rich in rare-earth resources, accounting for about 50 percent of the world’s total rareearth resources. In addition to raw rare-earth minerals, China produces a variety of processed products, 

including rare-earth metals and chemicals. Since the 1990s, China has become the leading rare-earthelement producing country in the world, accounting for more than 90 percent of the world’s total output. 

Over the past decade, such countries as France, Italy, Japan, and the United States have depended upon 

rare-earth elements exported from China. Before 2000, China’s rare-earth production exceeded 

domestic demand; at that time, suppliers in China exported significant amounts of rare-earth products to 

overseas markets. In 2000, China produced 73,000 t of mined rare-earth elements (rare-earth oxide 

equivalent) and consumed about 19,000 t. From 1990 to 2000, China exported unprocessed rare-earth

elements (Cordier, 2012; Menzie, 2012). 

In the past 10 years, however, Chinese domestic demand for rare-earth elements increased 

sharply. The country’s rare-earth production increased to more than 120,000 t; further, domestic 

consumption of rare-earth elements increased to 87,000 t by 2010. At the same time, the Chinese 

Government issued measures calling for restricted production, and the Government further restricted 

exportation of rare-earth elements. China no longer exports unprocessed rare-earth elements. In 

addition, the rare-earth export quota decreased to about 30,000 t in 2010 from 47,000 t in 2000. Chinese 

statistics indicate that the country’s rare-earth production has remained at 120,000 t during the past 

several years (Menzie, 2012). 

China’s restriction of rare-earth exports has significantly affected the downstream sectors of 

other countries, especially France, Italy, and Japan, which do not have identified rare-earth resources. In 

the United States, the reopening of the Mountain Pass Mine in California in late 2011 is expected to 

reduce U.S. demand for processed rare earths from China in the coming years. In addition, Lynas Corp. 

Ltd. of Australia completed construction of its Mount Weld Mine in Western Australia in 2010. These 

two mines can supply a total of about 30,000 t of mined rare-earth elements beginning in 2012 and will 
10

reduce the demand for Chinese-produced rare-earth elements. Mountain Pass and Mount Weld, 

however, contain mainly light rare earths (lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, 

and europium). Many electronic products require heavy rare earths (gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, 

holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium) to perform more efficiently. Currently, China is the 

only country that can supply significant amounts of both light and heavy rare-earth products. At least for 

the next several years, China will continue to be the major supplier of heavy rare-earth elements 

(Menzie, 2012). 

The concerns are not, however, limited to rare-earth elements and supplies of raw minerals. The 

issue extends across mineral commodities and throughout the supply chain of manufactured goods. 

Since the 2008 publication of two reports by the National Research Council (Minerals, Critical 

Minerals, and the U.S. Economy) and the National Academy of Engineering (Managing Materials for a 

Twenty-First Century Military), it has become apparent that the Department of Defense and major 

U.S. corporations, such as General Electric Co., were unaware of the degree to which they depended on 

numerous minerals and mineral materials. Perhaps this should not be surprising as they typically do not 

buy raw materials, but mainly purchase component parts or integrated systems. Events such as the Japan 

earthquake of 2010 have served to highlight how supply chains can be interrupted with consequent 

effects across a variety of economic actors, some gaining and others losing as a result of the disruption 

(National Research Council, 2008a, b; Menzie, 2012). 

Mergers and Acquisitions

The higher-than-average number of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the mining sector in 

2011 is attributable to several factors, including low interest rates, increased cash reserves of many 

large- and medium-sized mining companies, and the availability of a number of prospect-rich 

exploration and mining companies. Some companies also engaged in share repurchase programs; BHP 

Billiton completed a $10 billion buyback program that it had resumed in late 2010 (MacDonald, 2011). 

The year 2011 was not only the second busiest year in history in terms of the number of 

proposed M&As in the mining sector but it was the one with the fewest proposed mining M&As 

cancelled since 2004. A total of 2,605 mining M&A deals with a reported value of $149 billion were 

disclosed during the year. These deals represented a 33 percent increase in the value of announced 

mining M&A transactions compared with that of 2010; the average value of these deals increased by 

50 percent to $105 million from $70 million during 2010. M&A transactions in the mining sector that 

were valued at less than $100 million accounted for 1,355 deals, although the megadeals (greater than 

$1 billion) received the most press coverage. Australia, Canada, and the United States held a 57 percent 

share of all 2011 mining acquisitions worldwide, and Canada held a 30 percent share of the M&A 

market. Also, Australia, Canada, and the United States accounted for 53 percent of the year’s

acquisition value; Australia held the top position with a 22 percent share of the market, and the 

United States displaced China by holding a 17 percent market share (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 

2012, p. 6–10). 

China and Russia together accounted for 16 percent of the global mining deals by value and 

11 percent by volume. Among the world’s developing economies, China represented about one-half of 

the growth in the market and its buying volume increased by about 40 percent from the world’s 2006 

market peak volumes and 300 percent from 2006 market peak values. Other noticeable players in the 

developing economies were India-based buyers, which took part in 26 acquisitions worth $1.6 billion; 

Indonesia-based buyers, which accounted for $1.3 billion worth of mining buys; and Republic of Koreabased buyers, which accounted for $2.6 billion worth of buys (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 2012, 

p. 10–11). 
11

On a country-by-country basis, financial analysts observed a “geographic clustering” in terms of 

buyers favoring and participating in projects located in their own markets. This was notable both for 

developed as well as developing economies. About 64 percent of Australian-led acquisitions involved 

projects in Australia; 61 percent of Canadian-led acquisitions involved projects in Canada; and 

60 percent of United States-led acquisitions involved projects in the United States. Likewise, in the 

non-Western developing economies, 100 percent of Mexican-led acquisitions involved projects in 

Mexico; 90 percent of Russian-led acquisitions involved projects in Russia; 75 percent of Brazilian-led 

acquisitions involved projects in Brazil, and 64 percent of Chinese-led acquisitions involved projects in 

mainland China. About 44 percent of the deals announced by Western-based companies outside of their 

own territory involved projects in Latin America. The second most popular destination for overseas 

M&A investments was Africa (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 2012, p. 10–14).

The five key mineral commodities that dominated global M&A investments were coal, copper, 

gold, iron ore, and niobium. These commodities represented about 81 percent of the aggregate values of 

firms that were the object of mergers or acquisitions; 41 percent of copper transactions (by value) were 

for targets in China, Congo (Kinshasa), Mongolia, Namibia, and Zambia. Although the majority of 

transactions involving iron ore took place in Australia, Canada, and China, significant acquisitions 

involving iron ore also took place in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Congo (Brazzaville), and Russia. In terms 

of volume, copper, gold, iron ore, silver, and uranium represented 57 percent of all M&A activity. Gold 

dominated investments (by volume) accounted for 31 percent of M&A deals (PricewaterhouseCoopers 

LLP, 2012, p. 16). In the fuels sector, a total of 1,322 oil and gas M&A transactions were announced in 

2011, which was an increase of more than 5 percent from that of 2010 (Deloitte Development LLC, 

2011). 

Significant mergers or acquisitions in the mineral sector during 2011 included the following: 

• $8.5 billion (coal)—Virginia-based Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. merged with Virginia-based 

Massey Energy Co. The merger would have Alpha in control of the second ranked coal reserve base 

in the United States (Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., 2011). 

• $7.5 billion (copper)—In July, Canadian company Barrick Gold Corp. acquired 100 percent of the 

issued and outstanding common shares of Equinox Minerals Ltd. of Canada for $7.482 billion. 

Equinox’s assets included the operating Lumwana copper mine in Zambia and the Jabal Sayid 

copper project in Saudi Arabia, which is expected to enter production in 2012 (Barrick Gold Corp., 

2011; 2012, p. 17–18; Donville, 2011; Nicholson, 2011). 

• $5.4 billion (copper)—Mitsubishi Corp.of Japan acquired 24.5 percent of Anglo American Sur S.A. 

of Chile, which holds a significant portfolio of copper assets in Chile, including Los Bronces Mine, 

El Soldado Mine, the Chagres smelter, and a number of other exploration properties (Mitsubishi 

Corp., 2011). 

• $5.2 billion (bauxite and aluminum)—Norsk Hydro ASA of Norway acquired significant Brazilian 

bauxite and alumina assets from Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (Vale) of Brazil. Norsk Hydro 

obtained full control and ownership of the Paragominas bauxite mine, a 91 percent share in the 

Alunorte alumina refinery, an 81 percent share in the CAP alumina refinery, and a 51 percent share 

in the Albras aluminum plant, among other assets (Norsk Hydro ASA, 2011). 

• $4.8 billion (iron ore)—In May, Ohio-based Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. acquired Consolidated 

Thompson Iron Mines Ltd. of Canada. Following the merger, Cliffs is expected to become one of 

the leading mining and natural resources companies in North America and to have significant 

exposure to Asian markets. Cliffs will control 10 iron ore facilities, 6 coal mines, and a prefeasibility 

chromite-development project in Australia, North America, and South America (Cliffs Natural 

Resources Inc., 2011a; 2011b, p. 7; 2011c, p. 6). 
12

• $4.8 billion (coal)—Australian company Whitehaven Coal Ltd. agreed to merge with Aston 

Resources Ltd. in December 2011. The merger would create Australia’s leading independent coal 

company. Whitehaven was also to acquire Boardwalk Resources Ltd. for about $86 million. 

Boardwalk held interests in coal exploration assets across New South Wales and Queensland, 

Australia (Mishkin, 2011; Whitehaven Coal Ltd., 2012). 

• $4.7 billion (coal)—In December, Missouri-based Peabody Energy Inc. completed the acquisition of 

all outstanding shares in Macarthur Coal Ltd. of Australia. Macarthur’s assets included majority 

interest in the Coppabella, Middlemont, and Moorvale Mines in Australia in addition to a number of 

mine development and infrastructure projects, which were expected to become operational between 

2012 and 2014 (Peabody Energy Inc., 2011). 

• $2.84 billion (copper)—In December, KGHM Polska Miedz S.A. of Poland signed a binding 

conditional agreement with Canadian company Quadra FNX Mining Ltd. under which KGHM 

would acquire 100 percent of the shares of Quadra FNX. Quadra mined copper, nickel, gold, 

platinum, and palladium from the Carlota and Robinson Mines in the United States; the Franke 

Mine in Chile; and the McCreedy West, Levack, and Podolsky Mines in Canada (KGHM Polska 

Miedz S.A., 2012, p. 20). 

• $2.5 billion (gold)—In December, Eldorado Gold Corp. of Canada agreed to acquire all the 

outstanding common shares of European Goldfields Ltd. of Canada. European Goldfields held a 

95 percent interest in Greece’s Stratoni Mine, a 95 percent interest in the Skouries and Olympias 

projects, also in Greece, and an 80.1 percent interest in the Certej project in Romania. European gold 

reserves are estimated to be 286,000 kg (Eldorado Gold Corp., 2012, p. 2). 

• $2.3 billion (gold)—Colorado-based Newmont Mining Corp. acquired all the outstanding common 

shares of Fronteer Gold Inc. of Canada in April. Fronteer held interest in three gold projects in the 

State of Nevada, with an estimated measured, indicated, and inferred resource of about 177,000 kg 

of gold (Newmont Mining Corp., 2011, p. 26–27). 

Exploration

In 2011, according to Engineering and Mining Journal’s annual survey of global mining 

investment, the Raw Materials Group (RMG) of Sweden estimated that the total value of announced 

investment in the global mining industry (this included coverage of precious, base, and ferrous metals; 

ferroalloys; and coal) increased by 20 percent to $676 billion compared with that of 2010. Based upon 

RMG criteria, Australia maintained its position as the leading nation for total mining investment in 2011 

followed by Canada (Ericsson and Larsson, 2012). 

Despite the recorded increase in global mining investments, the number of projects that had 

reached the feasibility stage declined for a second consecutive year, which was in part attributable to a 

sharp decline in exploration in 2009 (exploration spending reached a low of $8.4 billion in 2009) as a 

result of the global economic downturn of 2008 to 2009. Boart Longyear of the United States, which is 

one of the world’s largest mineral exploration drilling companies, reported a record year in 2011, with a 

37 percent increase in revenue to $2 billion compared with that of 2010. Demand for the company’s 

drilling services was focused mostly in Latin America and Africa, reflecting the demand for gold and 

copper from those regions. The company also reported that its revenue had decreased by about 

50 percent in 2009 when many junior exploration companies closed and the major companies, which 

represented 80 percent of its revenue, scaled back their exploration programs. Boart Longyear, however, 

expected about 14 percent growth in revenues in 2012, primarily as a result of the activities in Africa 

and Latin America that contributed to record revenues in 2011 (Metals Economics Group, 2011; 

Ericsson and Larsson, 2012; Topf, 2012). 
13

Based on its survey of planned nonfuel and nonferrous exploration spending (which included 

coverage of precious and base metals, as well as lithium, niobium, phosphate, potash, rare-earth 

elements, tantalum, and uranium), the Metals Economics Group (MEG) of Canada reported that global 

exploration spending increased by about 50 percent in 2011 to $18.2 billion. According to the MEG’s 

criteria, Latin America was the leading region for planned mineral commodity exploration budgets in 

2011, with 26 percent of the total, followed by Canada (18 percent), Africa (15 percent), Australia 

(12 percent), the United States (8 percent), the Pacific region (not including Australia) and Southeast 

Asia (6 percent), and the rest of the world, including China and Russia (15 percent) (Els, 2011; Metals 

Economics Group, 2011). 

According to the MEG, Mexico, which invested $1 billion in exploration in 2011, was Latin 

America’s leading country in terms of global exploration spending in 2011, accounting for 6 percent of 

the total; it was followed by Chile (5 percent), Peru (4 percent), Brazil (3 percent), and Argentina and 

Colombia (2 percent each). The group reported that Mexico’s exploration spending had grown faster 

than the world average since 2003 and that its growth was attributed to increased spending by Canadian 

junior exploration companies. According to data compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), 

Mexico led the region in terms of the number of exploration sites, followed by Peru, Brazil, Argentina, 

Chile, and Colombia (Jamasmie, 2012a, b; Wilburn and others, 2012). 

According to Natural Resources Canada, Canada’s exploration and deposit appraisal 

expenditures by junior and senior companies (including field work, overhead costs, engineering, 

economic and feasibility studies, environmental work, and land access costs) increased by 42 percent in 

2011 compared with those of 2010. Those investments were about evenly distributed between junior 

and senior companies in 2011 that spent $1.9 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively, reflecting increases 

of about 62 percent by senior companies and 26 percent by junior companies compared with 2010 

expenditures. Precious metals exploration led expenditures with about $1.9 billion, followed by 

diamond (about $980 million); base metals (about $690 million); other metals, coal, and nonmetals 

(about $590 million); iron ore (about $290 million); and uranium (about $200 million) (Natural 

Resources Canada, 2012a, b). 

In 2011, the African exploration budget as determined by the MEG increased by about 

70 percent compared with that of 2010. Based on data compiled by the USGS, gold and silver 

exploration projects accounted for about one-half of the known African exploration projects followed by 

base metals (10 percent), uranium (9 percent), iron ore (7 percent), and diamond and platinum-group 

metals (6 percent each). The International Finance Corp. (IFC) announced that it planned to invest $300 

million in mining during the next 3 years in mining companies that operated in Africa. The IFC planned 

to direct part of that sum to equity investments with junior mining companies seeking financing for 

exploration projects and feasibility studies, and another portion toward debt investments in mining 

projects at other stages of development. About 230 Australian companies owned about 650 mining 

projects in 43 countries and territories of Africa, accounting for more than 40 percent of Australia’s 

overseas mining projects (Davenport, 2011; Metals Economics Group, 2011; Swanepoel, 2011; Wilburn 

and others, 2012). 

According to the Australian mineral exploration review 2011, spending on mineral exploration 

by Australian companies increased by 32 percent to about $2.3 billion in fiscal year 2011 compared 

with that of fiscal year 2010. Exploration spending increased for most commodities, including coal, 

cobalt, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, nickel, silver, uranium, and zinc. Decreased exploration spending 

was recorded for diamond and mineral sands. Exploration for iron ore received the most spending, 

accounting for about $680 million, or 29 percent of the total, followed by gold, which accounted for 
14

about $670 million, or about 28 percent of the total exploration budget of Australian companies (Senior 

and Huleatt, 2012, p. 1). 

According to the MEG, exploration spending in the Pacific region (not including Australia) and 

Southeast Asia increased by about 39 percent in 2011 to about $1 billion compared with that of 2010. 

Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines combined accounted for about 80 percent of that 

exploration budget. In 2011, China, which received almost one-half of its iron ore imports from 

Australia, had begun to invest about $4.5 billion during 5 years to explore for minerals in 21 Provinces 

primarily to reduce its volume of iron ore imports. Five Chinese iron ore deposits were reported to hold 

up to 5 Gt of ore, but several deposits had low-grade ore. In early 2012, China was purchasing iron ore 

for about $135 per metric ton that cost only about $25 per metric ton to mine in Australia. China also 

had large petroleum and natural gas discoveries, including what was reported to be 1.37 Gt of proven 

reserves (a 21 percent increase compared with those of 2010) and about 770 billion cubic meters of 

proven natural gas reserves (an increase of 29.6 percent compared with those of 2010) (Kosich, 2010; 

Metals Economics Group, 2011; Thomson Reuters, 2012a, b). 

Resource Nationalization

In 2011, resource nationalization was at the forefront of global issues affecting the mining 

sector. A report by Ernst & Young (2011) titled Business Risks Facing Mining and Metals 2011–2012 

identified resource nationalism as the leading risk affecting businesses worldwide. Resource 

nationalization and expropriation of mineral assets, however, were more of a threat (with a few 

exceptions) than a fact in 2011. Milder forms of resource nationalization were manifested through 

Government initiatives aimed at obtaining a greater share of mining profits through changes in the fiscal 

environment by establishing higher taxes and royalties. Analysts estimated that between 2010 and 2011, 

at least 25 countries increased or announced intentions to increase their Government’s participation in 

mining projects by imposing higher taxes or royalties. The rapid rebound of mineral commodity prices 

following the financial crises of 2008 to 2009 was considered one of the primary reasons for this trend, 

particularly in developing economies. In 2011, many countries—including Bolivia, Chile, China, 

Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Mongolia, Namibia, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, 

Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—either sought to obtain a greater participation in mining projects or 

demanded reviews and possible renegotiation of mining contracts, or increased royalties, mining taxes, 

or profit sharing. Some examples of the proposed actions were as follows: 

• The Australian Government planned to implement a Minerals Resource Rent Tax on iron ore and 

coal mining.

• The Chinese Government increased rare-earth mineral taxes and established a benchmark rate for a 

resource tax on coal, gas, oil, and other resources. 

• Guinea planned to review all mining contracts in the country and to implement a new mining code, 

which would increase the Government’s equity in mining projects to 33 percent from 15 percent. 

• Indonesia planned to set monthly benchmark prices for the export of aluminum, copper, gold, lead, 

nickel, palladium, platinum, silver, tin, and zinc. In addition, the Government proposed a ministerial 

decree requiring miners to process raw commodities in the country before export. The Government 

also planned to issue a decree to ban the export of low-grade thermal coal beginning in 2014. 

• Mongolia intended to increase its stake in the Oyu Tolgoi project to 40 percent from its existing 

34 percent ownership. 
15

• The Namibian Government planned to increase its involvement in the mining sector through 

Government-owned mining company Epangelo Mining and refused to commit to a fixed share in 

future joint ventures. 

• Panama intended to pass a law that would allow foreign state-owned companies to participate in 

Panama’s mining sector either by acquiring mining concessions or by establishing joint ventures 

with companies already operating in the country. 

• Peru and Tanzania proposed to increase taxes on mining companies.

• The Peruvian Government revoked Renco Group’s mining license to operate the La Oroya smelter. 

• South Africa’s African National Congress called for resource nationalization and for approval of the 

country’s 26 percent Black Economic Empowerment policy. 

• The United States proposed to impose a 5 percent royalty charge on hard rock miners in the 

United States.

• The Venezuelan Government planned to nationalize gold mines in Venezuela.

• The Venezuelan Government planned to revoke several mining licenses. 

• Zimbabwe moved to pass the indigenization law, which establishes that mining companies must 

surrender as much as a 51 percent ownership in mining operations to indigenous Zimbabweans. 

Outlook

Future supply and demand for aluminum, copper, and iron ore are tied mainly to the resolution 

of the sovereign debt crisis and economic recovery in Europe and demand for commodities in China. 

Concerns about the European economy have added volatility to the market and have made 2012 price 

and production estimates difficult to determine. The energy-intensive nature of aluminum production 

may have an important effect on future production of that metal as European producers may find it hard 

to compete with production from countries with cheaper energy sources. Competing domestic energy 

demands in China could also curtail production there, which could lead to an increase in aluminum 

imports.

Since 2000, China’s rapid economic development has resulted in a substantial increase in 

mineral consumption and consequent increases in the prices for minerals. A recent report by the World 

Bank and the Development Research Center (a Chinese think tank) suggests that China’s economic 

development has reached a point at which significant changes in its economic model will be necessary. 

The report calls for a change in emphasis from export-led growth to growth generated from internal 

consumers and for a reduction in spending for infrastructure and power generation. These changes are 

projected to reduce China’s rate of growth in its GDP by about 2 percent. Such an economic 

restructuring is expected to change China’s consumption of a number of mineral commodities. 

Consumption of metals could increase at a slower rate, whereas consumption of fertilizers could 

increase in response to increased incomes and changing diet. Unless one of the other countries 

undergoing economic development increases its mineral consumption significantly, consumption of 

some mineral commodities could increase at a slower pace, and prices for those commodities could 

soften. Other large developing countries, such as Brazil, India, and Russia, are projecting slower rates of 

economic growth for 2012 than they were forecasting in September 2012. Under such circumstances, 

cost control could return as the top priority of mining companies (Davis, 2012a, b; Lyons and Davis, 

2012). 
16

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Table 1. Historic and projected bauxite mine production, 2000–2017.

1

[Gross weight in thousand metric tons]

Country 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Australia 53,800 59,960 68,414 80,000 85,000 91,000

Brazil 13,800 22,034 31,700 32,000 32,000 32,000

China 9,000 22,000 44,000 46,000 47,000 48,000

Guinea 15,700 14,600 15,100 15,000 27,000 37,000

India 7,560 12,385 18,000 21,000 23,000 25,000

Indonesia 1,150 1,442 1,050 6,000 12,000 20,000

Jamaica 11,100 14,116 8,540 11,000 11,000 11,000

Kazakhstan 3,729 4,800 5,310 5,500 5,500 5,500

Russia 5,274 6,400 5,475 5,500 5,550 5,600

Saudi Arabia2 -- -- -- -- 3,500 4,000

Sierra Leone -- -- 1,090 1,100 6,100 11,100

Suriname 3,610 4,757 4,000 5,000 5,000 5,000

Venezuela 4,360 5,900 5,500 5,500 5,500 5,000

Others 8,260 8,850 7,340 10,800 11,200 11,300

 World 137,000 177,000 216,000 244,000 279,000 312,000

e

Estimated. -- Negligible or no production.

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2

Does not include production of low-grade bauxite for cement, which began in 2008.
23

Table 2. Historic and projected primary and secondary aluminum metal production, 2000–2017.

1 

[Thousand metric tons] 

Country 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Australia 1,770 2,030 1,928 2,000 2,050 2,100

Bahrain2 509 751 851 870 870 870

Brazil 1,487 1,749 1,787 2,000 2,500 2,500

Canada3 2,521 3,070 3,000 3,600 3,900 3,900

China 2,800 9,740 20,200 23,000 25,000 27,000

Germany 1,216 1,366 1,014 1,000 1,000 1,000

Iceland 224 273 813 815 815 815

India 644 942 1,450 1,800 2,000 2,200

Iran 140 220 270 600 823 823

Italy 848 1,314 1,414 1,500 1,500 1,500

Norway 1,280 1,376 1,100e 1,200 1,200 1,200

Russia 3,245 3,647 3,947 4,000 4,200 4,400

South Africa 673 846 807 810 810 810

United Arab Emirates 470 722 1,400 2,400 2,400 2,400

United States 5,038 3,030 2,800 3,200 3,200 3,200

Others 7,792 8,733 7,858 10,000 11,000 11,000

 World 31,000 40,000 51,000 59,000 63,000 66,000

e

Estimated. 

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2

May include some secondary aluminum produced from used beverage cans.

3

Includes secondary aluminum production.
24

Table 3. Historic and projected cobalt mine production, 2000–2017.

1 

[Metal content in metric tons] 

Country 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Australia 5,600 5,600 3,850 4,000 4,000 4,000

Botswana 300 326 340 350 350 350

Brazil 900 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500

Canada 5,298 5,767 4,568 7,000 9,000 9,000

China 90 2,100 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000

Congo (Kinshasa) 10,000 24,500 61,000 95,700 105,000 116,000

Cuba 2,800 4,800 3,600 3,600 4,400 4,400

Indonesia -- 1,600 1,600 1,300 1,100 1,100

Kazakhstan 300 -- -- -- -- --

Madagascar -- -- 700 4,900 5,600 5,600

Morocco 1,300 1,600 3,130 3,200 3,200 3,200

New Caledonia 1,700 1,800 1,700 1,000 4,000 5,000

Papua New Guinea -- -- -- 1,500 3,000 3,000

Philippines -- 300 2,200 2,500 5,000 5,000

Russia 4,000 6,300 6,200 6,200 6,200 6,200

South Africa 580 620 400 1,000 1,000 1,000

Zambia 4,600 9,300 5,700 7,000 7,000 7,000

Zimbabwe 79 281 60 200 200 200

 World 37,000 66,000 103,000 147,000 167,000 179,000

e

Estimated. -- Negligible or no production. 

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
25

Table 4. Historic and projected copper mine production, 2000–2017.

1 

[Metal content in thousand metric tons]

Country 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Argentina 145 187 140 200 300 300

Australia 829 930 870 1,100 1,200 1,250

Brazil 32 133 214 240 250 260

Bulgaria 92 112 110 110 110 110

Canada 634 595 525 640 640 650

Chile 4,602 5,321 5,419 5,700 5,900 6,000

China 593 762 1,160 1,300 1,400 1,450

Congo (Kinshasa) 31 97 440 777 950 990

Indonesia 1,010 1,064 878 900 1,000 1,100

Iran 125 190 255 350 350 400

Kazakhstan 430 402 380 400 480 520

Mexico 365 429 238 320 350 350

Mongolia 125 127 125 200 400 800

Papua New Guinea 203 193 160 120 150 245

Peru 554 1,010 1,094 1,350 1,400 1,450

Poland 509 575 481 500 500 500

Russia 570 640 703 720 740 760

South Africa 137 89 103 106 106 106

United States 1,450 1,140 1,110 1,110 1,110 1,110

Zambia 249 447 820 900 1,000 1,600

Others 693 611 644 800 800 850

 World 13,000 15,000 16,000 18,000 19,000 21,000

e

Estimated. 

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
26

Table 5. Historic and projected refined copper metal production, 2000–2017.

1 

[Thousand metric tons]

Country 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Australia 488 461 417 500 500 500

Belgium 423 382 370 500 500 500

Brazil 233 224 233 250 260 270

Canada 613 515 319 370 370 370

Chile2 2,668 2,824 3,244 3,400 3,400 3,400

China 1,370 2,600 4,650 5,300 5,600 5,800

Congo (Kinshasa) -- -- 262 655 855 899

Germany 710 638 704 700 700 700

India 243 497 720 740 750 760

Indonesia 158 263 280 350 360 360

Iran 156 178 210 440 440 700

Japan 1,440 1,395 1,549 1,600 1,600 1,600

Kazakhstan 395 388 323 420 500 520

Korea, Republic of 468 519 541 540 550 600

Mexico 411 416 278 360 390 390

Peru2 452 512 394 450 500 550

Poland 486 560 547 600 600 600

Russia 840 933 874 890 906 920

Spain 316 302 290 310 320 330

United States 1,790 1,260 1,098 1,100 1,100 1,100

Zambia 227 399 530 600 600 600

Others 1,091 1,261 1,347 1,500 1,500 1,500

 World 15,000 16,000 19,000 22,000 22,000 23,000

e

Estimated. -- Negligible or no production. 

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2

Primary only
27

Table 6. Historic and projected gold mine production, 2000–2017.

1 

[Metal content in kilograms]

Country 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Argentina 26,000 27,904 63,138 60,000 60,000 60,000

Australia 269,000 263,000 261,000 280,000 300,000 320,000

Brazil 50,400 38,293 62,047 65,000 65,500 66,000

Burkina Faso2 625 1,397 24,104 28,900 39,300 42,500

Canada 156,200 120,541 91,024 105,000 100,000 110,000

Chile 54,100 40,447 39,494 45,000 60,000 70,000

China 180,000 225,000 345,000 370,000 390,000 400,000

Colombia 37,000 35,783 53,600 55,000 55,000 55,000

Congo (Kinshasa) 69 7,200 3,500 8,000 23,800 26,100

Dominican Republic -- -- -- 25,000 25,000 25,000

Ghana2 72,080 66,852 76,332 87,800 103,000 106,000

Indonesia 125,000 130,620 106,316 120,000 130,000 140,000

Kazakhstan 28,171 18,062 30,272 40,000 50,000 70,000

Mali2 28,717 44,230 36,344 49,500 49,700 45,600

Mauritania -- -- 8,300 10,500 49,000 49,000

Mexico 26,400 30,356 72,600 75,000 80,000 80,000

Mongolia 11,800 24,120 6,000 13,500 23,500 28,500

Papua New Guinea 74,500 68,483 62,900 62,000 69,000 131,000

Peru 139,000 208,002 164,060 170,000 180,000 185,000

Philippines 36,540 37,490 40,847 43,000 45,000 47,000

Russia 142,738 163,186 189,000 200,000 205,000 210,000

South Africa 430,800 294,671 188,701 221,000 228,000 223,000

Sudan 5,774 3,625 26,317 31,600 32,500 29,700

Tanzania 15,060 47,270 39,448 48,600 51,600 56,300

Turkey 500 4,170 17,000 30,000 40,000 40,000

United States 353,000 256,000 231,000 230,000 230,000 230,000

Uzbekistan 85,000 84,210 90,000 91,000 92,000 93,000

Others 196,000 220,000 236,000 274,000 307,000 316,000

 World 2,540,000 2,460,000 2,560,000 2,840,000 3,080,000 3,250,000

e

Estimated. -- Negligible or no production.

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2

Excludes production from artisanal mining.
28

Table 7. Historic and projected beneficiated iron ore production, 2000–2017.

1

[Metal content in thousand metric tons]

Country

Average 

ore 

grade 

(% Fe) 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Australia 62 107,000 163,000 271,000 330,000 350,000 370,000

Brazil 66 141,000 186,891 247,772 250,000 250,000 260,000

Canada2 64 22,700 19,333 23,300 28,000 28,000 30,000

Chile 61 5,400 4,707 5,852 7,000 8,000 9,000

China 64 73,600 134,000 350,000 410,000 420,000 430,000

Gabon 64 -- -- -- 640 3,200 12,800

Guinea 30 to 68 -- -- -- 7,100 103,000 119,000

India 64 48,600 97,500 166,000 170,000 172,000 174,000

Iran - 5,800 9,162 16,500 30,000 30,000 35,000

Kazakhstan 57 9,200 11,100 13,800 e 15,000 17,000 17,000

Mauritania 59 to 72 7,500 7,000 7,500 8,500 10,000 10,000

Mexico 60 6,800 7,012 7,900 8,000 8,500 8,500

Peru 68 2,810 4,565 6,140 6,500 7,000 7,000

Russia 58 50,000 56,100 58,500 59,000 59,500 60,000

Saudi Arabia - -- -- -- -- 500 4,700

Senegal 42 to 59 -- -- -- -- -- 4,350

Sierra Leone 66 -- -- -- 9,360 10,100 10,100

South Africa 62 to 65 21,570 24,900 36,900 46,700 48,900 49,500

Sweden 65 13,556 15,300 16,750 16,000 16,000 15,000

Ukraine 55 30,600 37,700 43,000 45,000 48,000 50,000

United States - 39,703 34,202 32,000 32,000 32,000 32,000

Venezuela 65 11,100 13,000 15,200 16,000 16,500 16,500

Other - 10,402 11,272 16,370 21,400 23,400 26,000

 World - 607,000 837,000 1,320,000 1,520,000 1,660,000 1,750,000

e

Estimated. -- Negligible or no production.

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2

Includes beneficiated and direct-shipping ore.
29

Table 8. Historic and projected crude steel production, 2000–2017.

1 

[Thousand metric tons]

Country 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Brazil 27,900 31,631 33,033 34,000 35,000 40,000

Canada 15,900 15,327 13,003 13,000 15,000 15,000

China 129,000 353,240 637,230 730,000 750,000 780,000

France 21,002 19,481 15,414 17,000 18,000 18,000

Germany 46,376 44,524 43,830 45,000 45,000 45,000

India 26,900 45,800 66,800 72,000 74,000 76,000

Iran 6,600 9,400 12,000 18,000 30,000 35,000

Italy 26,544 29,061 25,750 28,000 30,000 30,000

Japan 106,400 112,470 110,000 115,000 118,000 120,000

Korea, Republic of 43,100 47,820 58,912 59,000 61,000 60,000

Mexico 15,600 16,202 16,710 17,000 19,000 20,000

Poland 10,508 8,336 7,996 9,000 10,000 10,000

Russia 59,097 66,186 66,300 66,400 66,500 66,600

Spain 15,844 17,800 16,311 16,500 17,000 17,000

Taiwan 17,300 18,567 20,498 23,000 23,000 23,000

Turkey 14,325 20,960 29,030 35,000 43,000 43,000

Ukraine 31,780 38,636 33,599 40,000 43,000 48,000

United Kingdom 15,306 13,210 9,709 13,000 13,000 13,000

United States 102,000 94,900 80,500 92,000 92,000 92,000

Others 116,877 140,072 136,880 160,000 170,000 173,000

 World 848,000 1,140,000 1,430,000 1,600,000 1,670,000 1,720,000

e

Estimated.

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
30

Table 9. Historic and projected palladium mine production, 2000–2017.

1 

[Metal content in kilograms]

Country 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Australia 812 550 650 650 700 700

Canada 10,400 10,400 6,200 15,000 15,000 19,000

China 350 450 650 650 700 700

Russia 95,000 97,400 84,700 85,000 85,000 85,000

South Africa 55,818 82,961 82,222 97,200 106,000 108,000

United States 10,300 13,300 11,600 12,000 12,000 12,000

Zimbabwe 366 3,879 7,000 9,000 11,000 11,000

Other 33 29 37 35 35 35

 World 173,000 209,000 193,000 220,000 230,000 236,000

e

Estimated.

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

Table 10. Historic and projected platinum mine production, 2000–2017.

1 

[Metal content in kilograms]

Country 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Australia 171 111 130 200 200 200

Canada 5,700 6,075 3,600 9,000 9,000 10,000

China 650 700 750 1,000 1,000 1,000

Colombia 339 1,082 997 1,200 1,200 1,200

Finland 441 678 275 200 200 200

Russia 27,000 29,000 25,000 26,000 26,000 26,000

South Africa 114,459 163,711 147,790 174,000 188,000 193,000

United States 3,110 3,920 3,450 3,500 3,500 3,500

Zimbabwe 505 4,834 8,800 11,000 12,000 13,000

Others 1,024 23 33 25 25 25

 World 153,000 210,000 191,000 226,000 241,000 248,000

e

Estimated. 

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
31

Table 11. Historic and projected tin mine production, 2000–2017.

1 

[Metal content in metric tons]

Country 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Australia 9,146 2,819 7,000 6,000 6,000 6,000

Bolivia 12,293 18,640 20,190 20,000 23,000 24,000

Brazil 14,200 11,739 10,400 12,000 14,000 14,500

China 99,400 126,000 115,000 120,000 110,000 110,000

Congo (Kinshasa) 50 4,400 6,300 4,000 4,000 4,000

Egypt -- -- -- 1,530 1,530 1,530

Indonesia 55,624 78,404 43,258 45,000 44,000 42,000

Malaysia 6,307 2,857 2,668 2,500 2,500 2,500

Peru 70,901 42,145 33,848 41,000 42,000 42,500

Rwanda 276 170 1,400 1,500 1,500 1,500

Vietnam 1,800 5,400 5,400 5,400 5,400 5,400

Others 9,123 6,260 1,739 1,700 1,900 2,000

 World 279,000 299,000 247,000 261,000 256,000 256,000

e

Estimated. -- Negligible or no production.

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

Table 12. Historic and projected tin metal production, 2000–2017.

1 

[Metric tons] 

Country 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Australia 1,033 994 3,400 2,000 2,000 2,000

Bolivia 9,353 13,841 14,975 17,000 20,000 21,000

Brazil 14,023 9,236 9,348 10,500 12,000 12,000

China 112,000 122,000 150,000 165,000 170,000 180,000

Indonesia 47,129 65,300 43,832 45,000 50,000 55,000

Malaysia 26,228 36,924 38,737 40,000 40,000 40,000

Peru 37,410 36,733 36,451 39,500 40,000 40,000

Thailand 17,076 31,600 19,423 20,000 23,500 30,000

Others 10,448 9,916 4,341 4,400 5,000 5,000

 World 275,000 326,000 321,000 343,000 362,000 385,000

e

Estimated.

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
32

Table 13. Historic and projected diamond production, 2000–2017.

1 

[Thousand carats]

Country 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Angola 4,313 7,079 13,000 10,000 10,000 10,000

Australia 26,600 34,307 10,000 11,000 11,000 11,000

Botswana 24,635 31,890 21,000 28,000 28,000 28,000

Canada 2,530 12,314 11,773 12,000 13,000 16,000

Congo (Kinshasa) 16,006 35,207 16,800 19,500 19,500 19,500

Ghana 878 1,013 334 300 900 900

Namibia 1,552 1,902 1,693 1,800 2,000 2,000

Russia 29,200 38,000 32,800 33,000 33,000 33,000

Sierra Leone 77 669 438 500 500 500

South Africa 10,790 15,776 8,868 8,200 8,500 9,100

Tanzania 354 220 80 510 640 640

Zimbabwe 23 251 8,435 10,000 11,000 10,000

Other 4,363 2,205 1,871 2,200 2,200 2,300

 World 121,000 181,000 127,000 137,000 140,000 143,000

e

Estimated.

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

Table 14. Historic and projected lithium production, 2000–2017.

1 

[Metal content in metric tons]

Country 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Argentina 25 2,800 2,100 2,800 2,800 2,800

Australia 2,300 4,800 8,200 10,000 15,000 15,000

Bolivia -- -- -- -- 50 90

Brazil 260 210 489 510 510 510

Canada 670 670 -- 2,000 3,000 3,000

Chile 6,740 8,354 10,361 13,000 13,000 13,000

China 3,000 3,600 5,100 5,200 5,300 5,300

Portugal -- 520 810 820 830 870

United States W W W W W W

Zimbabwe 1,100 1,100 700 800 800 800

 World 14,000 22,000 28,000 35,000 41,000 41,000

e

Estimated. -- Negligible or no production. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; not included in "World."

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 
33

Table 15. Historic and projected salable coal production, 2000–2017.

1

[Thousand metric tons]

Country 2000 2005 2010 2013e 2015e 2017e

Australia 313,000 370,000 499,000 530,000 540,000 560,000

Canada2 69,200 67,555 67,876 70,000 75,000 80,000

China 957,000 2,260,000 3,240,000 3,500,000 3,700,000 3,900,000

Colombia 38,200 59,064 74,350 85,000 85,000 100,000

Czech Republic 68,091 61,903 55,124 56,000 56,000 56,000

Germany 201,975 202,815 182,303 177,000 175,000 172,000

Greece 64,026 73,585 64,000 65,000 65,000 65,000

India 335,000 360,000 507,000 510,000 520,000 530,000

Indonesia 102,015 192,920 256,789 270,000 273,000 275,000

Kazakhstan 74,872 86,385 106,568 110,000 120,000 130,000

Korea, North 22,500 23,500 41,000 40,000 40,000 40,000

Mexico2 14,300 11,750 27,565 30,000 32,000 32,000

Mongolia 5,185 8,256 25,246 30,000 30,000 30,000

Mozambique 16 3 50 15,700 31,000 42,000

Poland 162,815 159,039 133,238 135,000 135,000 135,000

Romania 29,294 34,201 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000

Russia 273,578 298,300 326,050 330,000 335,000 340,000

Serbia3 32,275 34,993 38,598 38,000 38,000 38,000

South Africa 224,118 244,940 254,522 293,000 330,000 351,000

Turkey 64,645 58,676 78,104 80,000 90,000 90,000

Ukraine 81,907 74,559 75,200 80,000 85,000 90,000

United States 974,118 1,028,538 983,188 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000

Vietnam 11,609 34,093 44,011 50,000 50,000 50,000

Others 185,000 172,000 176,000 186,000 192,000 196,000

 World 4,120,000 5,920,000 7,290,000 7,710,000 8,030,000 8,330,000

e

Estimated.

1

Estimated data and totals are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2

Run of mine.

3

Prior to 2005, figures are for a combined Serbia (including Kosovo) and Montenegro.