Abstract: This article is based on data from 22 countries around the world collected between 2011 and 2013. The average production volumes of major metallic mineral commodities (Au, Ag, Pt, Cu, Pb, Zn, Co, Ni, Ti, W, Sn, Bi, Mo, Al, Sb, REE, Li, Hg, Fe, Mn, Cr, and U) and coal were analyzed. First, the top 10 producing countries for each mineral commodity were identified. On this basis, using a combination of assignment-based calculations and comprehensive analytical and evaluation methods, the ranking order of the world’s top ten mining nations was determined as follows: China, Australia, Russia, the United States, Canada, South Africa, Peru, India, Brazil, and Mexico.

Keywords: Major mineral products, production volume, major mining countries, ranking,

Regarding the ranking order of the world’s top ten mining countries, there are many differing opinions, yet all of them lack empirical evidence and quantifiable evaluation criteria. To clarify our understanding and make our descriptions more scientific and precise, the author has analyzed data from the past three years (2011–2013). (year) The average production levels of metallic mineral products and coal in the world’s major mining countries, and identify the specific countries included in today’s top ten mining nations along with their ranking order.

1  Non-ferrous metals

1.1  Copper

2011-2013 In the year, as shown in Table 1, the average production of the world’s major copper-producing countries was as follows: Chile ranked first, China second, Peru third, the United States fourth, Australia fifth, Zambia sixth, Russia seventh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo eighth, Canada ninth, and Kazakhstan tenth.

1.2  Lead

2011-2013 In the year, as shown in Table 2, the average production of major global lead-producing countries was as follows: China ranked first, Australia second, the United States third, Peru fourth, Mexico fifth, Russia sixth, India seventh, Bolivia eighth, Sweden ninth, and Turkey tenth.

1.3  Zinc

2011-2013 In the year, as shown in Table 3, the average production of zinc by the world’s major zinc-producing countries was as follows: China ranked first, Australia second, Peru third, the United States fourth, India fifth, Mexico sixth, Canada seventh, Bolivia eighth, Kazakhstan ninth, and Ireland tenth.

1.4  Cobalt

2011-2013 In the year, as shown in Table 4, the average production of cobalt by the world’s major producing countries was as follows: First place was occupied by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, second by Canada, third by China, fourth by Russia, fifth by Australia, sixth by Zambia, seventh by Cuba, eighth by Brazil, ninth by New Caledonia, and tenth by Morocco.

^★ Estimated value

1.5  Nickel

2011-2013 In the year, as shown in Table 5, among the world’s major nickel-producing countries, Indonesia ranks first, the Philippines second, Russia third, Australia fourth, Canada fifth, New Caledonia sixth, China seventh, Brazil eighth, Cuba ninth, and South Africa tenth.

1.6  Titanium

2011-2013 In the year, as shown in Table 6, the average production of major global titanium ore-producing countries was as follows: Australia ranked first, South Africa second, Canada third, Mozambique fourth, Norway fifth, Madagascar sixth, Vietnam seventh, Ukraine eighth, the United States ninth, and India tenth.

1.7  Tungsten

2011-2013 In the year, as shown in Table 7, the average production of major tungsten-producing countries worldwide was as follows: China ranked first, Russia second, Canada third, Rwanda fourth, Bolivia fifth, Austria sixth, Portugal seventh, Brazil eighth, Spain ninth, and Peru tenth.

1.8  Tin

2011-2013 In the year, as shown in Table 8, the average production of the world’s major tin-producing countries was as follows: China ranked first, Indonesia second, Peru third, Bolivia fourth, Brazil fifth, Australia sixth, Vietnam seventh, Myanmar eighth, Rwanda ninth, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo tenth.

1.9  Bismuth

2011-2013 In the year, as shown in Table 9, the average production of bismuth ore by the world’s major producing countries was among the top 10 globally. The countries, in order, are China, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Peru, Canada, Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, and Bulgaria.

1.10  Molybdenum

2011-2013 In the year, as shown in Table 10, the average production of molybdenum by the world’s major producing countries was as follows: China ranked first, the United States second, Chile third, Peru fourth, Mexico fifth, Canada sixth, Armenia seventh, Russia eighth, Iran ninth, and Mongolia tenth.

1.11  Aluminum

2011-2013 In the year, as shown in Table 1-1, the average production of bauxite by the world’s major producing countries was among the top 10. The countries, in order, are Australia, Indonesia, China, Brazil, Guinea, India, Jamaica, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Suriname.

1.12  Antimony

2011-2013 In the year, as shown in Table 12, the average production of the world’s major antimony-producing countries was among the top 10 global antimony producers. The countries, in order, are China, Russia, Bolivia, Tajikistan, Myanmar, South Africa, Australia, Turkey, Thailand, and Laos.