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The table presents global mica production figures by country or locality from 2019 through 2023, measured in metric tons. This data is critical for understanding the distribution and scale of mica mining worldwide, which supports various industrial applications including electronics, automotive components, construction materials, and cosmetics. Tracking production trends helps stakeholders assess supply chain stability, identify emerging producers, and evaluate the impact of geopolitical or economic factors on mica availability. Given mica’s role as an insulating and heat-resistant material, reliable production data informs market forecasts and policy decisions related to mineral resource management.
Analysis of the data reveals that China remains the dominant producer, consistently yielding around 80,000 metric tons annually since 2020, despite a decline from 98,000 tons in 2019. Madagascar shows notable fluctuations, with production peaking at an estimated 68,694 tons in 2020 before settling near 63,000 tons in 2023. The United States maintains substantial output primarily from scrap and flake sources, with production hovering around 37,000 tons in 2023, down from 42,000 tons in 2022. Other significant producers include Finland, with a total of 49,878 tons in 2023, and Morocco, which rebounded to an estimated 40,000 tons after a dip to 27,534 tons in 2021. Brazil’s production halved from 10,000 tons in 2021 to an estimated 5,000 tons in 2023, indicating potential supply constraints. Overall, world mica production showed a slight recovery to 379,000 tons in 2023 after a downward trend from 416,000 tons in 2019, reflecting dynamic shifts in global mining activities and market demand.
| TABLE 11 | ||||||||||||
| MICA: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY1 | ||||||||||||
| (Metric tons) | ||||||||||||
| Country or locality2 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||
| Argentina, all gradese | 120 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |||||||
| Austriae | 4400 | 3400 | 5200 | 5000 | 5000 | |||||||
| Brazil | 3232 | 9260 | 10000 | e | 5000 | e | 5000 | e | ||||
| Canadae | 21000 | 15000 | 15000 | 15000 | 13000 | |||||||
| China | 98000 | 80000 | 84000 | e | 80000 | e | 80000 | e | ||||
| Egypte | 10000 | 10000 | 7000 | 5000 | 4000 | |||||||
| Finland: | ||||||||||||
| Biotite | 64505 | 57681 | 45757 | 48775 | 42770 | |||||||
| Concentrate | 9440 | 7247 | 10138 | 9465 | 7108 | |||||||
| Total | 73945 | 64928 | 55895 | 58240 | 49878 | |||||||
| Francee | 19000 | 19000 | 19000 | 16000 | r | 13000 | ||||||
| India:e | ||||||||||||
| Crude | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | |||||||
| Scrap and waste | 15000 | 15000 | 16000 | 14000 | 14000 | |||||||
| Total | 16000 | 16000 | 17000 | 15000 | 15000 | |||||||
| Irane, 3 | 1120 | 1120 | 1100 | 1100 | 1000 | |||||||
| Korea, Republic of, all grades | 23433 | 20983 | 10984 | 10198 | 19891 | |||||||
| Madagascar, phlogopite | 33585 | 68694 | 56118 | 52556 | r | 63000 | e | |||||
| Malaysia | 4358 | 4083 | 3406 | r | 3400 | r, e | 4200 | e | ||||
| Mexico, all gradese | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | |||||||
| Morocco | 48892 | 39600 | 27534 | 40000 | e | 40000 | e | |||||
| Nigeria | 212 | 150 | 2672 | r | 2700 | r, e | 3500 | e | ||||
| Peru | 52 | 122 | 143 | -- | -- | e | ||||||
| Russia | 5689 | 4654 | 6000 | e | 6000 | e | 4500 | e | ||||
| South Africa, ground and scrap | 9 | 194 | 630 | 392 | 425 | |||||||
| Spain | 7769 | 7126 | 9220 | 9342 | r | 9000 | e | |||||
| Sri Lanka, schist | 1134 | 810 | e | 530 | e | 860 | e | 900 | e | |||
| Taiwan | 3312 | 3186 | 10983 | 1795 | 1800 | e | ||||||
| Turkey, other | 454 | 4139 | 1663 | 6066 | 8715 | |||||||
| United States, scrap and flakee, 4 | 40000 | 35000 | 41000 | 42000 | 37000 | |||||||
| Total | 416000 | r | 407000 | r | 385000 | r | 376000 | r | 379000 | |||
eEstimated. rRevised. -- Zero.
1Table includes data available through July 1, 2024. All data are reported unless otherwise noted; totals may include estimated data. Grand totals, U.S. data, 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, Pakistan, Romania, and Sweden may have produced mica, but available information was inadequate to make reliable estimates of output.
3Production is based on fiscal year, with a starting date of March 21 of the year shown.
4Does not include, if any, U.S. production of low-quality sericite and sheet mica.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Mica statistics | Mineral commodity prices