Europe is not a major producer of metals, compared to the other continents.
However the continent is home to some of the world's largest mining
companies. Anglo American, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are three examples.
Base metals and gold are produced in Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Romania,
Turkey, Sweden and Finland. Cyprus is well known for its base metal deposits on
Troodos. Turkey has great potential for base metal and gold deposits; and is an
established chromite producer. Coal is a major European product with Germany
and Poland being major producers.
Summary of the European mining industry by commodity
|
Antimony |
| Production (2008 world total): |
165 Mt |
| Production by countries: |
No production in 2008 |
| Key uses: |
Flame retardants, semi conductors |
|
Bauxite |
| Production (2008 world
total): |
205 Mt |
| Production by
countries: |
Greece (2.2 Mt) |
| Companies in the region:
|
S&B Industrial Minerals. |
| Key uses: |
Aluminium production |
|
Chromite |
| Chromium production (2008
world total): |
21.5 Mt |
| Production by countries:
|
Some reserves in Albania,
Finland, Greece, Turkey, Yugoslavia |
| Key uses: |
Stainless steel production,
superalloys |
|
Coal |
| Total Production (2007):
|
Approx. 5543 Mt |
| Production by countries:
|
Poland (90 Mt) |
| Companies in the region:
|
Kompania Weglowa |
| Key uses: |
Energy generation |
|
Cobalt |
| Production (2008 world
total): |
71 800 t |
| Production by
countries: |
No production in 2008 |
| Key uses: |
Metal alloys |
|
Copper |
| Mine production (2008
world total): |
15.7 Mt |
| Production by countries:
|
Poland (0.43 Mt) |
| Companies in the region:
|
KGHM
Polska Mied SA |
| Key uses: |
Electrical applications,
construction |
|
Diamonds |
| Production (2007):
|
168.0 Mct |
| Production by
countries: |
No production in 2008 |
| Key uses: |
Jewellery, abrasives |
|
Gold |
| Mine Production (2008
world total): |
2 356 t |
| Production by
countries: |
Sweden,
Spain |
| Companies in the region:
|
Boliden |
| Key uses: |
Jewellery, Investments |
|
Iron
ore |
| Production (2008 world
total): |
2 200 Mt |
| Production by countries:
|
Ukraine (80 Mt),
Sweden (27 Mt) |
| Companies in the region:
|
LKAB
Group |
| Key uses: |
Steel industry |
|
Lead |
| Mine Production (2008
world total): |
3.80 Mt |
| Production by countries:
|
Sweden (0.069 Mt),
Ireland (0.056 Mt),
Poland (0.053 Mt) |
| Companies in the region:
|
Xstrata |
| Key uses: |
Motor vehicle batteries,
chemical |
|
Manganese |
| Mine production (2008
world total): |
14.0 Mt |
| Production by countries:
|
Ukraine (0.48 Mt) |
| Companies in the region:
|
Ordzhonikidze |
| Key uses: |
Ferroalloys |
|
Molybdenum |
| Production (2008 world
total): |
212 000 t |
| Production by
countries: |
Armenia (4 100 t),
Finland |
| Companies in the region:
|
Outotec |
| Key uses: |
FerroAlloys |
|
Nickel |
| Production (2008 world
total): |
1,610 Mt |
| Production by countries:
|
Greece (20.1 Mt) |
| Companies in the region:
|
Larco |
| Key uses: |
Stainless steel, batteries,
fuel cells |
|
Palladium |
| Total Supply (2007):
|
232 000 kg |
| Production by
countries: |
No production in 2008 |
| Key uses: |
Motor vehicle catalysts,
electronic |
|
Phosphates |
| Total Supply (2008 world
total): |
206 000 kg |
| Production by
countries: |
No production in 2008 |
| Key uses: |
Fertiliser applications |
|
Platinum |
| Mine Production (2008
world total): |
200 000 kg |
| Production by countries:
|
No production in 2008 |
| Key uses: |
Motor vehicle catalysts,
jewellery |
|
Silver |
| Mine Production (2008
world total): |
20 900 oz |
| Production by
countries: |
Poland (1 300 oz) |
| Companies in the region:
|
KGHM
Polska Mied SA |
| Key uses: |
Electronics, photographic,
jewellery |
|
Tantalum |
| Mine Production (2008
world total): |
815 t |
| Production by
countries: |
No production in 2008 |
| Key uses: |
Electronic components;
alloys |
|
Tin |
| Production (2008 world
total): |
333 000 t (Primary and
Secondary sources) |
| Production by
countries: |
No production in 2008 |
| Key uses: |
Packaging, alloys |
|
Titanium |
| Production (2008 world
total): |
11 890 Mt (Ilmenite and
Rutile) |
| Production by countries:
|
Norway (380 Mt ilmenite),
Ukraine (359 Mt ilmenite and rutile)
|
| Companies in the region: :
|
Vilnohirsk Mining Metallurgical Plant,
Kronos |
| Key uses: |
Pigments and alloys |
|
Tungsten |
| Mine Production (2008
world total): |
54 600 T |
| Production by
countries: |
Austria (1 200 T),
Portugal (900 T) |
| Key uses: |
FerroAlloys, filaments |
|
Uranium |
| Production
(2007): |
41 279 tU |
| Production by countries:
|
Ukraine (800 tU),
Czech Republic (263 tU),
Romania (77 tU),
Germany (77 tU),
France (5 tU) |
| Companies in the region: :
|
Vostochny Integrated Mining and Concentrating
Plant, Enusa Industrias Avanzadas,
S.A. |
| Key uses: |
Power generation,
medical |
|
Vanadium |
| Mine Production (2008
world total): |
60 000 Mt (Vanadium
pentoxide) |
| Production by
countries: |
No production in 2008 |
| Key uses: |
FerroAlloys |
|
Zinc |
| Mine Production (2008
world total): |
11.300 Mt |
| Production by
countries: |
No production in 2008 |
| Key uses: |
Galvanising, alloys |
|
Zirconium |
| Supply (2008 world total):
|
1 360 Mt |
| Production by
countries: |
Ukraine (35 Mt) |
| Companies in the region:
|
Vilnohirsk Mining Metallurgical Plant |
| Key uses: |
Foundry applications,
alloys |
