Zinc
About Zinc
Zinc is the fourth most widely used metal globally, primarily employed in galvanizing steel to prevent corrosion. It is also essential for die-casting alloys, brass production, and zinc oxide used in rubber manufacturing and sunscreen. Zinc's role in protecting infrastructure from corrosion makes it fundamental to construction and transportation industries worldwide.
Primary Uses
Top Producing Countries
Quick Facts
- Symbol
- Zn
- Atomic Number
- 30
- Category
- Base Metal
- Criticality Level
- Medium
- Supply Risk
- Low
- Top Producer
- China
- USGS Critical List
- Listed
- EU CRM List
- Not Listed
Explore Zinc In Depth
Dive into detailed analysis across 11 key topics covering every aspect of the Zinc value chain.
Uses & Applications
Discover the primary industrial, technological, and commercial applications of Zinc across key sectors.
Supply Chain
Trace the Zinc supply chain from mine to market, including key intermediaries, processing hubs, and trade flows.
Mining & Processing
Learn how Zinc is extracted, concentrated, and processed into usable forms for downstream industries.
Refining & Grade Specs
Explore the refining methods, purity grades, and technical specifications that define Zinc products.
Recycling
Assess the recycling potential, current recovery rates, and circular economy opportunities for Zinc.
Substitutes
Evaluate possible substitutes and alternative materials that could reduce dependence on Zinc.
Investing
Understand the investment landscape for Zinc, including equities, ETFs, futures, and direct exposure strategies.
Price
Analyze Zinc pricing mechanisms, historical trends, benchmarks, and the factors that drive market volatility.
Companies
Identify the major miners, processors, and technology companies involved in the Zinc value chain.
Projects
Review the significant mining and processing projects shaping the future supply of Zinc worldwide.
Risks
Examine the supply risks, geopolitical vulnerabilities, and strategic concerns associated with Zinc.
Return to the full Mineral Library to explore other critical and strategic minerals.