Largest 2021 zinc mine producer in the world was China

Based on preliminary data by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), global mine zinc production in 2021 reached 13.0 million metric tonnes, an 8% increase compared to 2020 (12.0 million tonnes).

Estimated global zinc production in 2021 increased from that in 2020, USGS said, when mine production was constrained in some countries because of Government-mandated lockdowns and a decrease in zinc prices following the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The largest mine zinc producer in the world in 2021 was China (4.2 million tonnes), followed by Peru (1.6 million tonnes) and Australia (1.3 million tonnes).

According to the International Lead and Zinc Study Group, global refined zinc production in 2021 was forecast to increase slightly to 14.13 million tonnes and estimated metal consumption to increase by 6% to 14.09 million tonnes, resulting in a production-to-consumption surplus.