Mining

In 2016, the global talc and steatite market totalled 7.3M tonnes, growing over the last two years. Previously, the market volume markedly fluctuated in certain years, but as a result, the total market volume exceeded the initial level only by 2%. According to IndexBox estimates, the market stood at $2.0B in wholesale prices in 2016, contracting mildly from the highest point of 2013. Prior to this, the market has grown significantly over three years after a slight contraction in 2009-2010 under the influence of changes in world prices for talc.

In wholesale prices, European slate market amounted to €255M in 2016, reducing noticeably over the last nine years. This figure reflects total revenue of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In physical terms, the market stood at 2.6M tonnes, which reduced by 3% after a period of robust growth over 2013-2015.

Borates are used in the production of glass, ceramics, agriculture, detergents and bleaches. From 2007 to 2016, global borate consumption displayed a mixed dynamic. Between 2015 and 2016, global borate market remained relatively stable. As of the end of 2016, the global borate market stood at 6,961 thousand tonnes. 

In 2016, global pyrite market stood at 15.4M tonnes, remaining relatively stable over the last four years. Previously, a sharp fall in 2009 was followed by a robust growth over the next three years, until the market volume levelled off through to 2016. In value terms, it reached $1,670M in 2016. 

From 2007 to 2016, the global peat market fluctuated widely in certain years, finally dropping from 30.8M tonnes in 2007 to 27.9M tonnes in 2016, which was equal to 9% decline. Over the last year, the peat market retained the level of the previous year. In wholesale prices, it stood at $3.8B in 2016. This figure reflects total revenue of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price).

In 2016, the global imports of zinc ore stood at 10M tonnes, descending by -10.5% against the previous year level.

In 2016, the amount of tin ore imported worldwide totaled 515K tonnes, ascending by 55% against the previous year figure. In general, tin ore imports continue to indicate an outstanding increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013, when imports increased by 94% against the previous year level.

Global talc imports amounted to 5.4M tonnes in 2016, surging by 4% against the previous year figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2007 to 2016; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010, when it surged by 14% y-o-y. Global talc import peaked in 2016, and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term. In value terms, talc imports totaled $932M in 2016. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2007 to 2016; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, global talc imports reached its maximum level of $994M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

Global slate imports amounted to 773K tonnes in 2016, growing by 2% against the previous year figure. Overall, slate imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010, when imports increased by 29% against the previous year level.

In 2016, approx. 93M tonnes of salt were imported worldwide; remaining stable against the previous year figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2007 to 2016; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013, when import increased by 9% against the previous year level.

In 2016, approx. 5.6M tonnes of quartz were imported worldwide; dropping by -5.9% against the previous year level.

In 2016, the global peat imports amounted to 12M tonnes, declining by -2.4% against the previous year level.

In 2016, the amount of nickel ore imported worldwide amounted to 42M tonnes, descending by -8.9% against the previous year figure. Overall, nickel ore imports continue to indicate a strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2011, when import increased by 67% year-to-year. Global nickel ore import peaked of 81M tonnes in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength. In value terms, nickel ore imports stood at $2.5B in 2016. In general, nickel ore imports continue to indicate a deep drop. In that year, global nickel ore imports attained its maximum level of $7B. From 2012 to 2016, growth of global nickel ore imports failed to regain its strength. Top Nickel Ore Importing Countries in the World 1. China (1,527.7 million USD) 2. Japan (185.8 million USD) 3. South Korea (147.7 million USD) 4. Ukraine (36.0 million USD) 5. Macedonia (24.4 million USD) Nickel Ore Imports By Country China (32M tonnes) prevails in nickel ore imports structure, resulting at 32M tonnes, which was near 77% of total imports in 2016. Japan (3.7M tonnes) ranks second globally in nickel ore imports with a 9% share, following South Korea (8%). The following importers - Ukraine (1.4M tonnes), and Macedonia (730K tonnes) together made up 5% of total imports. Imports into China increased at an average annual rate of +8.4% from 2007 to 2016. At the same time, South Korea (+433.1%), and Ukraine (+9.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Korea emerged as the fastest growing importer/exporter in the world, with a CAGR of +433.1% from 2007-2016. By contrast, Japan (-1.5%), and Macedonia (-1.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2016, the share of Ukraine, South Korea, and China decreased by -1.9%, -7.9%, and -39.8% percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period. In value terms, China ($1.5B) constitutes the largest market for imported nickel ore worldwide, making up 60% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Japan ($186M), with the share of 7% of global imports. It was followed by South Korea, with the share of 6%. In China, nickel ore imports decreased by an average annual rate of -5.0% over the period from 2007-2016. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates: Japan (-12.9% per year) and South Korea (+143.8% per year). Nickel Ore Import Prices By Country The average nickel ore import price stood at $61 per tonne in 2016, reducing by -29.1% against the previous year. Overall, nickel ore import price continues to indicate a deep slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014, when import increased by 31% year-to-year. Over the period under review, average nickel ore import price attained its maximum level of $228 per tonne in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

In 2016, approx. 204M tonnes of silica sand were imported worldwide; coming up by 61% against the previous year level.

In 2016, the amount of phosphate imported worldwide stood at 23M tonnes, falling by -11.9% against the previous year figure. In general, phosphate imports continue to indicate a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011, when import increased by 12% y-o-y. Over the period under review, global phosphate imports attained its maximum volume of 29M tonnes in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

In 2016, approx. 251K tonnes of molybdenum ore were imported worldwide; falling by -9.4% against the previous year level.

In 2016, the global marble imports totaled 9.6M tonnes, lowering by -3.3% against the previous year level.

In 2016, the amount of magnesite imported worldwide stood at 7.9M tonnes, waning by -6.4% against the previous year level.