Global Extraction, Production and Consumption

Abstract

As a background to the discussion on metal cycles in the anthroposhpere of defined geographical areas (chapter 3) and on metal fluxes from society to the environment (chapter 4), it was felt pertinent to give a brief overview of the latest developments in the global metal mining activities as well as the metal consumption patterns. The principle feature in the production of base metals since the mid-1990s is a less dynamic development than earlier, and the overall demand - particularly for Zn and Cu-has stagnated. The lack of correspondence between production and demand for most base metals, illustrated by the build-up of considerable stocks, has resulted in stagnating or falling metal prices at least up till the end of 2002, maybe with the exception for Ni.