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This dataset presents the global production of lead in concentrate, measured in metric tons of lead content, by country or locality over the period from 2018 to 2022. This information is crucial for understanding the supply dynamics of lead, a metal widely used in batteries, radiation shielding, and various industrial applications. Tracking production volumes helps stakeholders anticipate market trends, assess resource availability, and make informed decisions related to trade, investment, and policy development in the mining and manufacturing sectors.
Analysis of the data reveals that China remains the dominant producer, maintaining a steady output around 1.94 to 2 million metric tons annually, accounting for a significant share of the global total, which hovered around 4.46 million metric tons in 2022. Mexico and the United States are also key contributors, producing approximately 273,000 metric tons and 273,000 metric tons respectively in 2022, though the U.S. saw a decline from a peak of 306,000 metric tons in 2020. Notable fluctuations include Argentina’s production dropping sharply from 42,957 metric tons in 2019 to 17,098 metric tons in 2021 before a slight recovery to 19,000 metric tons in 2022. Sweden showed a positive trend, increasing from 64,751 metric tons in 2018 to 75,000 metric tons in 2022. Several countries, such as Kazakhstan and Turkey, experienced declines in recent years, with Turkey’s output falling from 86,000 metric tons in 2021 to 67,000 metric tons in 2022. Overall, the global production has remained relatively stable with minor year-to-year variations, reflecting a balanced but closely monitored lead market.
| TABLE 13 | |||||||||||
| LEAD: WORLD MINE PRODUCTION OF LEAD IN CONCENTRATE BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY1 | |||||||||||
| (Metric tons, lead content) | |||||||||||
| Country or locality | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | ||||||
| Argentina | 28260 | 42957 | 23008 | 17098 | 19000 | e | |||||
| Australia | 446571 | 500985 | 494271 | 485487 | 435000 | e | |||||
| Bolivia | 112047 | 88341 | 64619 | 93246 | 90000 | e | |||||
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 7100 | 6600 | 7100 | 9000 | r | 8000 | |||||
| Brazil | 7000 | e | 5715 | 5352 | 6307 | 8000 | e | ||||
| Bulgaria | 26532 | 35453 | 37200 | 36479 | 36479 | ||||||
| Burmae | 38200 | 37800 | 23200 | 26100 | 26000 | ||||||
| Canada | 15605 | 21782 | 4000 | e | 10000 | e | 6000 | e | |||
| Chile | 712 | 7 | 1386 | 382 | 1000 | e | |||||
| China | 2000000 | e | 2000000 | e | 1942000 | 1964000 | 1946331 | ||||
| Congo (Kinshasa) | -- | 625 | -- | -- | e | -- | e | ||||
| Cubae | 24000 | 35000 | r | 34000 | r | 29000 | r | 33000 | |||
| Greece | 8800 | 10500 | 13800 | 16000 | e | 11000 | e | ||||
| Guatemala | 264 | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||||||
| Honduras | 9893 | 12308 | 14104 | 14500 | e | 14500 | e | ||||
| India | 192496 | 202974 | r | 197527 | r | 211250 | r | 220000 | e | ||
| Indonesiae | 11000 | 11000 | 8000 | 8000 | 10000 | ||||||
| Irane, 2 | 48000 | 50000 | 52000 | 50000 | 52000 | ||||||
| Ireland | 16712 | 16100 | 14401 | 13192 | 14181 | ||||||
| Kazakhstan | 86500 | 55700 | 30200 | 29900 | r | 30000 | |||||
| Korea, Northe | 30000 | 26000 | 24000 | 25000 | 24000 | ||||||
| Korea, Republic of | 2341 | 1933 | 1681 | 1528 | 974 | ||||||
| Kosovo | 6800 | 5500 | 6000 | 6700 | r | 4700 | |||||
| Laose | 340 | 250 | 100 | 170 | 1900 | ||||||
| Mexico | 240304 | 259457 | 260390 | 272231 | 273000 | ||||||
| Mongoliae | 11000 | 12000 | 12000 | 11000 | 12200 | ||||||
| Montenegro | 3099 | 3480 | 636 | 2000 | e | 1928 | |||||
| Morocco | 30382 | 30000 | e | 38000 | e | 42300 | r | 36000 | e | ||
| Namibiae | 8200 | 7000 | 9100 | 10200 | 9000 | ||||||
| Nigeriae | 18000 | 24000 | 20000 | 40000 | 32000 | ||||||
| Macedoniae | 32140 | 33700 | 35000 | 33400 | 32600 | ||||||
| Pakistan | 5140 | e | 8630 | e | 7094 | 7277 | 8866 | ||||
| Peru | 289195 | 308116 | 241548 | 264162 | 255000 | e | |||||
| Poland | 13234 | 20156 | 18727 | -- | r | -- | e | ||||
| Portugal | 18397 | 27852 | 28178 | 30067 | r | 30000 | e | ||||
| Russia | 206100 | 207900 | 200700 | 200000 | e | 210000 | e | ||||
| Serbia | 3200 | 5700 | 5400 | 5400 | r | 5500 | e | ||||
| South Africa | 35118 | 42936 | 28048 | 31224 | 39974 | ||||||
| Spain | 9936 | 11390 | 11397 | 11000 | e | 9000 | e | ||||
| Sweden | 64751 | 68635 | 65402 | 65404 | 75000 | ||||||
| Tajikistane | 44000 | 30000 | 46000 | 56000 | 53000 | ||||||
| Turkeye | 76000 | 71000 | 75000 | r | 86000 | r | 67000 | ||||
| United Kingdome | 100 | 200 | 100 | 100 | 100 | ||||||
| United States | 280000 | 274000 | 306000 | 294000 | 273000 | ||||||
| Uzbekistan | 21300 | 19100 | 18400 | 18630 | r | 23000 | |||||
| Vietname | 14500 | 12400 | r | 13900 | 16600 | 20600 | |||||
| Total | 4520000 | 4650000 | 4440000 | r | 4550000 | 4460000 | |||||
eEstimated. rRevised. -- Zero.
1Table includes data available through November 14, 2023. All data are reported unless otherwise noted; totals may include estimated data. Totals, U.S. data, and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2Production is based on fiscal year, with a starting date of March 21 of the year shown.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Lead statistics | Mineral commodity prices