![]() |
This table presents detailed data on global fluorspar mine production by country or locality from 2019 through 2023, measured in metric tons. Fluorspar, also known as fluorite, is a critical industrial mineral used primarily in the manufacture of hydrofluoric acid, aluminum production, steelmaking, and various chemical applications. Tracking production volumes by country provides insight into the supply dynamics of this essential mineral, which influences global markets, trade flows, and industrial supply chains. Understanding these trends helps policymakers, industry stakeholders, and analysts assess resource availability, potential supply risks, and the economic significance of fluorspar-producing regions.
Analysis of the data reveals that China remains the dominant global producer, with output consistently around 6 million metric tons annually, peaking at an estimated 6.1 million tons in 2022 before a slight decrease to 6 million tons in 2023. Mexico and Mongolia are also significant contributors, with Mexico’s total production rising from approximately 914,600 tons in 2020 to over 1.16 million tons in 2023, and Mongolia showing a notable increase from 425,000 tons in 2022 to 1.21 million tons in 2023. Iran’s production has stabilized around 121,000 tons since 2021, while Brazil’s output steadily increased from about 74,169 tons in 2020 to 85,257 tons in 2023. Among smaller producers, Germany’s acid-grade fluorspar production rebounded to around 100,000 tons in 2023 after a dip in 2021, and South Africa’s total production, although fluctuating, remained substantial at 345,000 tons in 2023. The global total production reached approximately 9.53 million metric tons in 2023, marking an increase from previous years and reflecting a recovery in several key producing countries.
| TABLE 8 | |||||||||||
| FLUORSPAR: WORLD MINE PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY1 | |||||||||||
| (Metric tons) | |||||||||||
| Country or locality2 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||
| Afghanistan | 10812 | 6000 | e | 7000 | e | 13000 | r, e | 7200 | e | ||
| Argentina | 1500 | NA | NA | NA | NA | ||||||
| Brazil3 | 76208 | 74169 | 78938 | 80440 | 85257 | ||||||
| Burma:e | |||||||||||
| Acid grade | 36000 | 6000 | 9000 | 8000 | -- | ||||||
| Metallurgical grade | 17000 | 10000 | 2000 | 8000 | 8000 | ||||||
| Total | 53000 | 16000 | 11000 | 16000 | 8000 | ||||||
| Canadae | 90000 | 140000 | 140000 | 12000 | -- | ||||||
| China | 5447000 | 5650800 | 5900000 | e | 6100000 | e | 6000000 | e | |||
| Germany, acid grade | 79959 | 64933 | 56632 | 104461 | r | 100000 | e | ||||
| India, metallurgical grade | 1424 | 917 | 1421 | 988 | 6297 | ||||||
| Iran4 | 49705 | 116227 | r | 120727 | r | 121000 | r, e | 121000 | e | ||
| Kazakhstan5 | 87800 | 74500 | 67000 | 12100 | 12400 | e | |||||
| Mexico: | |||||||||||
| Acid gradee | 940000 | 680000 | 790000 | 820000 | 1000000 | ||||||
| Metallurgical gradee | 290000 | 230000 | 210000 | 180000 | 160000 | ||||||
| Total | 1231465 | 914597 | 1007118 | 1000626 | r | 1162591 | |||||
| Mongolia: | |||||||||||
| Acid grade6 | 47500 | 85000 | 60300 | 24690 | 108900 | ||||||
| Metallurgical gradee | 650000 | 640000 | 590000 | 400000 | 1100000 | ||||||
| Total | 698000 | 725000 | 650000 | 425000 | 1210000 | ||||||
| Morocco: | |||||||||||
| Acid gradee | 65000 | 54000 | 49000 | 17000 | 13000 | ||||||
| Metallurgical gradee | 8200 | 30000 | 140000 | 4 | 60000 | r, 4 | 6000 | ||||
| Total | 73200 | 84000 | 189000 | 77000 | r | 19000 | |||||
| Nigeria, metallurgical grade | 5931 | 26717 | 39087 | 27000 | e | 24000 | e | ||||
| Pakistan, metallurgical gradee | 44000 | r | 50000 | r | 71000 | r | 62000 | r | 55000 | ||
| Russia, unspecified, 55% to 96.4% calcium fluoride (CaF2) | 4200 | 4480 | 42850 | 43000 | e | 43000 | e | ||||
| South Africa: | |||||||||||
| Acid gradee | 236000 | 240000 | 360000 | 380000 | r | 320000 | |||||
| Metallurgical gradee | 17000 | 47000 | 41000 | 46000 | 25000 | ||||||
| Total | 252974 | 287000 | 401000 | 426000 | r | 345000 | |||||
| Spain: | |||||||||||
| Acid grade | 130988 | 142256 | 143523 | 149503 | r | 150000 | e | ||||
| Metallurgical grade | 5533 | 13173 | 13013 | 14601 | r | 15000 | e | ||||
| Total | 136521 | 155429 | 156536 | 164104 | r | 165000 | |||||
| Thailand: | |||||||||||
| Acid gradee | 28000 | 14000 | -- | -- | -- | ||||||
| Metallurgical grade | 17747 | 9807 | 9766 | 59243 | 48000 | e | |||||
| Total | 45747 | 23807 | 9766 | 59243 | 48000 | ||||||
| Turkey | 14400 | 19896 | 10348 | 17252 | 32407 | ||||||
| United Kingdom, all gradese | 14000 | 15000 | 15000 | 15000 | 10000 | ||||||
| Vietnam | 238003 | 219920 | 215027 | 217975 | 146007 | ||||||
| Zambia, metallurgical gradee | 4000 | 4000 | 9800 | 13000 | 20000 | ||||||
| Grand total | 8580000 | r | 8590000 | r | 9110000 | r | 8930000 | r | 9530000 | ||
| Of which: | |||||||||||
| Acid grade | 1560000 | 1290000 | 1470000 | 1500000 | r | 1690000 | |||||
| Metallurgical grade | 1060000 | r | 1060000 | 1130000 | 871000 | r | 1470000 | ||||
| Other and unspecified | 5960000 | r | 6250000 | 6520000 | r | 6550000 | r | 6370000 | |||
eEstimated. rRevised. NA Not available. -- Zero.
1Table includes data available through August 27, 2024. All data are reported unless otherwise noted; grand totals and totals may include estimated data. Grand totals and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2In addition to the countries and (or) localities listed, Egypt may have produced fluorspar, but available information was inadequate to make reliable estimates of output.
3Totals include cryolite and fluorspar and production likely included a significant quantity of unbeneficiated material.
4Production is based on fiscal year, with a starting date of March 20 of the year shown.
5Production likely included a significant quantity of unbeneficiated material.
6Flotation concentrate, likely includes some material less than 97% CaF2 content.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Fluorspar statistics | Mineral commodity prices