According to USGS statistics, in 2015, the world produced 1.41 million tons of zirconium, with Australia and South Africa collectively producing 62 percent of the world's total. Among them, in 2015, Australia's zirconium production was 500,000 tons, accounting for 35.46%, and South Africa's output was 380,000 tons, accounting for 26.95%. In addition, India's production has increased in recent years, with 110,000 tons produced in 2015, accounting for 8% of the global total.
In general, Australia and South Africa are the largest zirconium resources.
In terms of reserves: Global zirconium reserves in 2015 were 78 million tons (measured by ZrO2), with Australia and South Africa's combined zirconium reserves accounting for 84% of the world's total. Among them, in 2015, Australia's zirconium reserves were 51 million tons, accounting for 65.38%, and South Africa's reserves were 14 million tons, accounting for 17.95%.
Overview of China's zirconium industry
In 2015, China produced 140,000 tons of zirconium and had only 500,000 tons of reserves, accounting for only 9% and 0.64% of the world's total, respectively. China's zirconium deposits are mainly distributed in Inner Mongolia and Hainan, accounting for 70% and 19% of the national reserves respectively. In addition, Guangdong, Guangxi, Shandong, Yunnan and other places also have some resources.
Although Inner Mongolia's zirconium reserves are much larger than Hainan's, Hainan province is currently the main producer of zirconium in China, accounting for 94% of the country's zirconium production. The main reason for the large reserves of zirconium ore in Inner Mongolia and the small amount of exploitation is that the zirconium ore in Inner Mongolia mainly exists in the form of rock ore, which is difficult to be mined, such as Konglut deposit in Inner Mongolia (alkaline granite type). The multi-zirconium placer deposits in Hainan Province, such as the Wenchang Binhai placer in Hainan Province, are easy to mine.
China is the world's major zirconium consumer, consuming about 600,000 tons of zirconium sand every year, accounting for about 60% of the world's total. However, China's zirconium resources are relatively poor, accounting for less than 4% of the world's reserves. China has long been dependent on the import of zirconium sand resources from Australia and South Africa. From 2013 to 2015, the import of zirconium sand resources was 600,000 tons, 570,000 tons and 730,000 tons respectively, and the external dependence of China's zirconium resources exceeded 90%.
