All the metals we mine each year, in one visualization

  • Date: 14-Oct-2021
  • Source: World Economic Forum
  • Sector:Oil & Gas
  • Country:Middle East
  • Who else needs to know?

All the metals we mine each year, in one visualization





In 2019, billions of tonnes of metal were mined.

Some of the most essential metals make up this large number, including iron, aluminium and copper.

The world's population is growing, therefore, the need for materials will also grow.







Click to enlarge







This image shows all the metals that were mined on the planet in 2019.





Image: British Geological Survey











Metals are all around us, from our phones and cars to our homes and office buildings.

While we often overlook the presence of these raw materials, they are an essential part of the modern economy. But obtaining these materials can be a complex process that involves mining, refining, and then converting them into usable forms.

So, how much metal gets mined in a year?

Metals vs ores

Before digging into the numbers, it’s important that we distinguish between ores and metals.

Ores are naturally occurring rocks that contain metals and metal compounds. Metals are the valuable parts of ores that can be extracted by separating and removing the waste rock. As a result, ore production is typically much higher than the actual metal content of the ore. For example, miners produced