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Production of Mineral Commodities and Geospatial Map of the Mineral Industries and Related Infrastructure of China

Open-File Report 2026-1018
Mineral Resources Program
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20261018

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Abstract

As part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) mission to distribute global mineral information and analyze supply chains, this study provides a comprehensive review of the global significance of China’s mineral production and capacity in 2023. Of 77 mineral commodities in the USGS dataset, China produced 74 and was the world’s first- ranked producer for 39 of the 74. Compared to the high share of global mineral production, including up to 98 percent of global gallium production, the country’s share of global mineral reserves was relatively small, ranging from 20 percent (zinc ore) to 52 percent (tungsten ore). China’s imports of metal ores, slag, and ash accounted for 64 percent of global imports of such commodities by value. The country’s exports of base metals and articles of base metal accounted for 17 percent of the global exports. To help nongeographic information system users assess the spatial distribution of mineral mines, processing facilities, and ports for trades in China, this study created a geospatial (also called “georeferenced”) portable document format (GeoPDF) map. In addition, the GeoPDF contains mineral resource tracts (such as antimony, copper, potash, coal, and oil and gas), exploration sites, and energy infrastructure based on the preexisting USGS data.

Suggested Citation

Chung, J., Neustaedter, E.R., Moon, J.W., Xun, S., and Textoris, S.D., 2026, Production of mineral commodities and geospatial map of the mineral industries and related infrastructure of China: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2026–1018, 1 map sheet, scale 1:17,500,000, 19-p. pamphlet, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20261018.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Purpose and Scope
  • China’s Economy
  • Mineral Industry
  • Mineral Facilities
  • Geospatial PDF Map and Feature Datasets
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Production of mineral commodities and geospatial map of the mineral industries and related infrastructure of China
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2026-1018
DOI 10.3133/ofr20261018
Publication Date June 12, 2026
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) National Minerals Information Center
Description Report: v, 19 p.; 1 Sheet: 18 x 12 inches; Data release
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details