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In 2024, approximately  million metric tons of refined zinc was consumed worldwide. 

Global zinc production

Zinc is a base metal processed from zinc ore. It releases sulfuric acid during the production process, which is used in a wide range of industries, from pharmaceuticals to bleaching paper. The production of final zinc metal is a complex process involving various stages with the end goal of separating the pure zinc from the zinc ore. While difficult, the highly lucrative nature of zinc production attracts large multinational firms to compete in the zinc market. Since 2005, the global production of zinc metal has increased, reaching nearly **** million metric tons in 2024. As of that year, China, Peru, and Australia were the leading three countries for zinc mine production, with around *** million metric tons of combined production. However, the zinc production volume in China has been on a decreasing trend since 2013. 

Zinc consumption

As a valuable metal, zinc is used in galvanizing, zinc alloying, brass, bronze, and more. Globally, galvanizing is the major end-use of zinc, accounting for more than half of the market. Between 2018 and 2024, the global consumption of refined zinc remained relatively stable, reaching a high of ** million tons in 2021 and decreasing to less than **** million tons the following year.