Top Metal Producers: A Global Resource Guide

Major Metal Producers by Type

Aluminum Producers

  • Jamaica
  • Venezuela
  • Suriname
  • Brazil
  • Russia
  • Kazakhstan
  • China
  • India
  • Guinea
  • Australia

Zinc Producers

  • Canada
  • USA
  • Mexico
  • Peru
  • Ireland
  • Kazakhstan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia

Copper Producers

  • Canada
  • USA
  • Mexico
  • Peru
  • Chile
  • Zambia
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • Kazakhstan
  • China
  • Indonesia
  • Australia

Chromium Producers

  • Brazil
  • Finland
  • Zimbabwe
  • Republic of South Africa
  • Turkey
  • Kazakhstan
  • India

Tin Producers

  • Vietnam
  • China
  • Russia
  • Niger
  • Bolivia
  • Peru
  • Indonesia

Iron Producers

  • Australia
  • India
  • China
  • Russia
  • Sweden
  • Ukraine
  • South Africa
  • Brazil
  • USA
  • Canada

Nickel Producers

  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • New Caledonia
  • China
  • South Africa
  • Brazil
  • Cuba
  • Canada
  • Russia
  • Colombia

Lead Producers

  • Australia
  • Chile
  • Serbia
  • Poland
  • Peru
  • Mexico
  • USA
  • Canada

Gold Producers

  • Australia
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Indonesia
  • China
  • Russia
  • Uzbekistan
  • South Africa
  • Peru
  • USA
  • Canada

Largest Metal Producers by Country

  • Gold and Chromium: South Africa
  • Copper: Chile
  • Bauxite: Australia
  • Nickel: Russia
  • Iron, Lead, Tin, and Zinc: China

Prospecting and Exploration Techniques

Techniques used to find and evaluate sources of useful materials and determine their profitability.

Prospecting Techniques

  • Geochemical analysis of sediments, soil, and water
  • Detection of radioactivity
  • Analysis of seismic waves
  • Local variations of the geomagnetic field
  • The use of electrical signals
  • Air satellite projection

Are these techniques accurate when locating a site? No, they provide reliable evidence.

Emblematic Materials Before the Industrial Revolution

  • Stone
  • Bromine
  • Iron

Raw Materials

The materials obtained in mines.

Ore

Ore is extracted during ore extraction.

Bargain

The disposable mineral.

Ore Extraction

Ore is usually obtained by bit depth in opencast mines, and when it is at some depth, the extraction is done by building wells and galleries.

First Stage in Material Production

Involves heating materials to bring them to their melting point or plastic forming stage.

Second Stage in Material Production

Shapes the material and allows it to cool to solidify.

Classification of Different Types of Materials

  • Metals
    • Ferrous
    • Non-Ferrous
  • Polymers
  • Ceramics
  • Composites
  • Others
    • Wood
    • Paper

Examples of Polymers

  • Plastics
  • Fibers
  • Cork

Examples of Ceramic Materials

  • Bricks
  • Tiles
  • Porcelain
  • Glass

Composite Materials

A composite is made of two or more materials without forming alloys.

Natural Resources

An element of nature that can be transformed by technology into something useful for human beings.

Crystalline Structure of Metals

Its atoms are positioned to form a regular and defined network.

Alloy

The dissolution of an element, metallic or non-metallic, into a metal.

Ferrous Metals

Those whose main component is iron.

Features of Ferrous Metals

  • Hard
  • High tensile strength

Examples of Ferrous Metals

  • Cast iron
  • Steel
  • Stainless steel

Cast Iron

A ferrous alloy containing mainly iron and small amounts of carbon and silicon.

Applications of Cast Iron

  • Covers of bikers
  • Machine tools
  • Railroad components

Steel

An alloy of iron and carbon.

Hardening of Steel

Refers to the great strength of steel.

Principal Characteristics of Steel

  • Low cost of production
  • High strength
  • Rigidity
  • Durability