U.S.Geological Survey (USGS): Zinc

Statistics and Information: Zinc is the 23^rd most abundant element in the earth's crust. Sphalerite, zinc sulfide, is and has been the principal ore mineral in the world. Zinc is necessary to modern living, and, in tonnage produced, stands fourth among all metals in world production - being exceeded only by iron, aluminum, and copper.Zinc uses range from metal products to rubber and medicines.About three-fourths of zinc used is consumed as metal, mainly as a coating to protect iron and steel from corrosion (galvanized metal), as alloying metal to make bronze and brass, as zinc-based die casting alloy, and as rolled zinc.The remaining one-fourth is consumed as zinc compounds mainly by the rubber, chemical, paint, and agricultural industries.Zinc is also a necessary element for proper growth and development of humans, animals, and plants; it is the second most common trace metal, after iron, naturally found in the human body.

Zinc(1)
(Data in thousand metric tons of Zinc content unless otherwise noted)

U.S. Domestic Production and Use: The value of zinc mined in 2008, based on zinc contained in concentrate, was about $1.51 billion. It was produced in 7 States at 16 mines operated by 9 companies. Two facilities—one primary and the other secondary—produced the bulk of refined zinc metal of commercial grade in 2008. Of the total zinc consumed, about 55% was used in galvanizing, 21% in zinc-based alloys, 16% in brass and bronze, and 8% in other uses. Zinc compounds and dust were used principally by the agriculture, chemical, paint, and rubber industries. Major coproducts of zinc mining and smelting, in order of decreasing tonnage, were lead, sulfuric acid, cadmium, silver, gold, and germanium.

U.S. Recycling: In 2008, an estimated 102,000 metric tons of zinc waste and scrap was exported, mainly to China (90%), and 17,000 metric tons was imported for consumption, most of which came from Canada (60%).

U.S. Import Sources (2004-07): Ore and concentrate: Peru, 69%; Ireland, 14%; Mexico, 12%; Australia, 4%; and other, 1%. Metal: Canada, 66%; Mexico, 16%; Republic of Korea, 4%; Australia, 3%; and other, 11%. Waste and scrap: Canada, 75%; Mexico, 15%; and other, 10%. Combined total: Canada, 50%; Peru, 17%; Mexico, 15%; Ireland, 3%; and other, 15%.

U.S. Tariff: (2)

U.S. Depletion Allowance: 22% (domestic)14% (foreign)

U.S. Government Stockpiles:

Events, Trends, and Issues: According to an October forecast from the International Lead and Zinc Study Group, in 2008, global zinc mine production increased by 3.9% to 11.6 million tons, refined metal production by 5.1% to 11.9 million tons, and consumption by 3.8% to 11.8 million tons. This leaves an excess of 150,000 tons of metal on the market, with a larger surplus anticipated in 2009.

Increased mine production was driven by expansions in Latin America and increased output in China, India, Iran, and Kazakhstan. Metal production rose as a result of increased output in China and India. A decline in zinc consumption in Europe and the United States during the year was offset by increased consumption in countries with emerging markets, particularly China, as well as Brazil and India. China’s continued growth in demand was supported by the increased production of galvanized products—especially those used in transportation (highway barriers) and communication (galvanized iron towers) infrastructure.

Zinc prices continued to decline during 2008 as the metal market remained in surplus over the year. The LME cash price for zinc in October 2008 averaged $1,301 per metric ton, an approximate 70% decline in value from its peak reached in 2006. A wave of zinc mine closings and cutbacks (particularly in Australia, Canada, and the United States) began around midyear as prices began to fall below operating costs, and a few smelters announced production cutbacks towards the end of the year in order to prevent an accumulation of stocks. Mines in New York and Tennessee closed in 2008 because of low zinc prices.

World Mine Production, Reserves, and Reserve Base:

World Resources: Identified zinc resources of the world are about 1.9 billion metric tons.

Substitutes: Aluminum, steel, and plastics substitute for galvanized sheet. Aluminum, plastics, and magnesium are major competitors as diecasting materials. Plastic coatings, paint, and cadmium and aluminum alloy coatings replace zinc for corrosion protection; aluminum alloys substitute for brass. Many elements are substitutes for zinc in chemical, electronic, and pigment uses.

(e) Estimated.
(1) Actual quantity will be limited to remaining inventory.
(2) Zinc content of concentrate and direct shipping ore.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2009