Zinc in 2025 was mined at an estimated 13 million metric tons worldwide, up from 11.9 million in 2024, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026. China produced the most, while U.S. mine output fell about 12%. This article summarizes the USGS zinc chapter, explains the main numbers and flags what the chapter does not say.
Who mines zinc?
The USGS lists estimated 2025 mine production, in thousand metric tons of zinc content:
- China: 4,100
- Peru: 1,500
- Australia: 1,100
- India: 870
- Mexico: 780
- United States: 670
- Bolivia: 500
- Russia: 430
- Kazakhstan: 360
- Sweden: 230
- Other countries: 2,000
By our own arithmetic, the world total rose about 9% and China’s share is about 32%. Peru’s output rose from 1,270 to 1,500, and Russia’s from an estimated 310 to 430. The USGS rounds the world total, and the country figures do not add exactly to it.
How much zinc is left?
The USGS puts world reserves at 240,000 thousand tons and identified resources at about 1.9 billion tons. China holds 60,000, Russia 29,000, Peru 18,000, Mexico 14,000, India 10,000 and the United States 9,300. By our arithmetic, world reserves equal about 18 years of output at the 2025 rate, a rough guide only. The Australian reserve line was garbled in the copy we read, so we do not report it.
How did prices move?
The USGS gives the London Metal Exchange cash price averaging 130 cents per pound in 2025, against 126.0 in 2024, a rise of about 3%. The North American price, which adds a regional premium, averaged 149 cents against 144.2, a rise of about 6%. These changes are small next to the gains in the prices of gold or silver.
What is zinc used for?
Most refined zinc goes to galvanizing, which coats steel to protect it from rust and serves the automobile and construction markets. Other uses, in descending order, are brass and bronze, zinc-base alloys and other uses. The USGS gives no percentages. Our article on aluminum in 2025 covers another metal tied to the same construction and transportation markets.
How dependent is the United States on imports?
The USGS reports that net import reliance for refined zinc was 73% of apparent consumption in 2025, estimated, the same as in 2024 and down from 77% in 2022. Refined zinc imports were about 600 thousand tons, and U.S. refined production was 220 in every year from 2021 through 2025. For 2021 to 2024, Canada supplied 57% of refined imports and Mexico 15%. For ores and concentrates, the United States is a net exporter.
Why did U.S. output fall?
The USGS says U.S. mine production fell an estimated 12%, mainly because ore grades declined at the Red Dog Mine in Alaska as it nears the end of its mine life. Zinc mines in Middle Tennessee have been suspended since November 2023, though drilling continued to define zinc, germanium and gallium resources. The chapter lists two projects in development: the restart of the Bunker Hill Mine in Idaho and the opening of the Hermosa project in Arizona.
Is the world market in surplus?
The chapter cites a forecast of 13.8 million tons of refined zinc production in 2025 against consumption of 13.7 million tons, a surplus of 85,000 tons. Chinese refining capacity drove the increase. By our arithmetic, the gap between the two rounded figures is 100,000 tons, so the stated surplus reflects rounding in the inputs. A surplus of this size is under 1% of consumption.
Where did the increase come from?
The world total rose by 1,100 thousand tons from 2024 to 2025. By our own arithmetic, Peru added 230 thousand tons, or about 21% of the increase, Russia added 120, China added 100 and the group of other countries added 270. The United States moved the other way, with a fall of 89 thousand tons. These gains are estimates, and the USGS often revises earlier-year figures, so small differences between countries should not be over-read. The pattern shows that the 2025 rise was spread across several producers and did not come from one mine.
How to read the numbers
Mine production is measured as zinc content in concentrate, which differs from refined metal. The mine figures show where ore comes from, while the refinery figures show where metal is made, and the two lists of countries are not the same. The price figures are annual averages, and the U.S. premium reflects local supply conditions.
How does zinc connect to other coverage?
Zinc is often mined together with other metals. See our reports on silver in 2025, copper in 2025 and tungsten in 2025, and the USGS summary of U.S. mineral production for the wider picture.
What should readers watch for next?
Readers can watch the restart of Bunker Hill, the Hermosa project, the end of Red Dog’s mine life and whether refined supply stays above demand. The chapter covers 2025 and does not forecast.
Related reading: Lead in 2025: USGS Shows China Mines 42 Percent as U.S. Import Reliance Rises.
Related reading: Germanium in 2025: USGS Shows U.S. Metal Imports Fall 67 Percent as Prices Double.
Glossary
- Galvanizing: coating steel with zinc to prevent rust
- Zinc content: the weight of zinc metal inside an ore or concentrate
- Refined zinc: zinc metal after smelting and purification
- Ore grade: the share of valuable metal in the rock
- Apparent consumption: production plus imports minus exports and stock changes
These definitions are general explanations and are not quoted from the USGS.
What is not covered here?
We omit the Australia reserve line and the stockpile figures, whose units were unclear, and we give no price forecast.
Key facts at a glance
- World mine production, 2025: about 13 million tons
- China: 4.1 million tons, about 32%
- U.S. mine output: 670 thousand tons, down about 12%
- U.S. import reliance, refined zinc: 73%
- LME cash price: 130 cents a pound, up about 3%
Frequently asked questions
Which country mines the most zinc?
China, at an estimated 4.1 million tons in 2025.
What is zinc mainly used for?
Galvanizing steel for cars and construction.
Why did U.S. zinc mining fall?
The USGS points mainly to lower ore grades at the Red Dog Mine in Alaska.
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