Salient Mercury Statistics

This table presents key data on mercury imports, exports, and global mine production over recent years, highlighting trends in supply and demand for this critical mineral. Mercury remains important in various industrial applications, including electronics, chemical manufacturing, and artisanal gold mining, despite environmental concerns and regulatory restrictions. Tracking import volumes and worldwide production levels provides insight into market dynamics, trade dependencies, and potential shifts in industrial usage or regulatory impacts.

The data reveal a notable decline in global mercury mine production from 2,500 metric tons in 2019 to 1,130 metric tons in 2023, indicating a sustained downward trend likely driven by environmental regulations and reduced demand. In the United States, imports for consumption dropped sharply from 8,970 kilograms in 2019 to just 1,050 kilograms in 2021, before rebounding to 4,130 kilograms in 2023. This fluctuation suggests changing domestic demand or supply chain adjustments. Exports from the U.S. have remained at zero throughout this period, underscoring the country’s reliance on imports to meet any industrial needs. Overall, the data reflect a contracting global mercury market with intermittent shifts in U.S. import activity.