Insight
China zinc mine consolidation will maintain output growth
*Please note that this report only includes an Excel data file if this is indicated in "What's included" below
Report summary
Chinese authorities have taken an increasingly stringent stance on zinc mining since 2015 in an attempt to raise the environmental and safety standards of mine operation. Further ongoing inspections could continue to hinder output growth, restricting the potential for closed mines to restart. In this insight, we have quantified the impact from the tightening of environmental and safety standards. Such impact has resulted in industry consolidation and a change in dynamics between small and large-scale mines. We also look at future projects and analyse how consolidation might prove to be a driver for output growth.
Table of contents
-
Executive Summary
- Tightening of environmental and safety standards
- Consolidation of industry in progress
- Firm resource base supports construction of new zinc mine projects
- Ongoing inspections constrain production growth
- Structural decline in ore grade
- What about cost?
- Conclusion
Tables and charts
This report includes the following images and tables:
- Production loss and new capacity by province in China (kt Zn)
- Comparison between Wood Mackenzie and NBS data
- Mine scale - RoW
- China 2013
- China 2017
- China 2023
- China zinc mine projects and country total ore reserves
- Zinc mine cost curve on country basis
- Zinc mine cost curve on a mine basis
What's included
This report contains:
Other reports you may be interested in
Insight
Global oil supply short-term update - October 2025
OPEC+ begin to unwind next tranche of cuts. We assume only a partial return of volumes due to a weakening outlook for prices.
$1,350
Asset Report
414 Mine - Lithium mine
A detailed analysis of the 414 Mine lithium mineral operation.
$2,250
Insight
Grasberg mine incident tightens already constrained copper market
Compounding factor to existing supply disruptions
$1,050
