Lead - Production, Reserves & Supply Concentration
A metal used chiefly in lead-acid batteries and specialised shielding applications.The tables cover lead mine production and reserves. Recycling provides an additional source of lead supply.
Lead Global Production & Country Share
Measure: Mine production (thousand metric tons)
Lead Production by Country (2020-2025)
Mine production · Unit: thousand metric tons
| Rank | Country | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e | Share | 5Y Chg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | China | 1,900 | 1,960 | 1,950 | 1,900 | 1,940 | 1,900 | 42.2% | 0.0% |
| #2 | Australia | 494 | 485 | 435 | 440 | 481 | 480 | 10.7% | -2.8% |
| #3 | Peru | 242 | 264 | 255 | 250 | 291 | 290 | 6.4% | +19.8% |
| #4 | United States | 306 | 294 | 273 | 270 | 304 | 280 | 6.2% | -8.5% |
| #5 | Russia | 210 | 200 | 210 | 200 | 260 | 260 | 5.8% | +23.8% |
| #6 | India | 204 | 215 | 220 | 220 | 226 | 220 | 4.9% | +7.8% |
| #7 | Mexico | 260 | 272 | 273 | 270 | 240 | 200 | 4.4% | -23.1% |
| #8 | Bolivia | 65 | 93 | 90 | 90 | 110 | 100 | 2.2% | +53.8% |
| #9 | Iran | - | 50 | 52 | 50 | 70 | 70 | 1.6% | - |
| #9 | Sweden | 70 | 65 | 75 | 70 | 75 | 70 | 1.6% | 0.0% |
| #9 | Türkiye | 63 | 75 | 67 | 70 | 66 | 70 | 1.6% | +11.1% |
| #12 | Tajikistan | 46 | 56 | 53 | 50 | 39 | 40 | 0.9% | -13.0% |
| - | World Total | 4,380 | 4,550 | 4,460 | 4,500 | 4,600 | 4,500 | 100.0% | +2.7% |
Lead Proven Reserves by Country (2025)
Basis: Reserves · Unit: thousand metric tons · Global Implied Reserve Life: 21.1 years
| Rank | Country | Reserves (thousand metric tons) | World Share | USGS Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Australia | 34,000 | 35.8% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. - For Australia, Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant or equivalent reserves were 10 million tons. |
| #2 | China | 22,000 | 23.2% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #3 | Russia | 8,900 | 9.4% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #4 | Mexico | 5,600 | 5.9% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #5 | Peru | 5,000 | 5.3% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #6 | United States | 4,600 | 4.8% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #7 | Iran | 2,000 | 2.1% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #8 | India | 1,900 | 2.0% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #9 | Sweden | 1,700 | 1.8% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #10 | Bolivia | 1,600 | 1.7% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #10 | Türkiye | 1,600 | 1.7% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| - | World Total Reserves | 95,000 | 100.0% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
U.S. Supply, Consumption & Net Import Reliance (2021-2025)
| Salient Measure | Unit | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead: Production: Mine, lead in concentrates | thousand metric tons | 294 | 273 | 270 | 304 | 280 |
| Lead: Production: Mine, recoverable lead | thousand metric tons | 286 | 264 | 263 | 296 | 270 |
| Lead: Production: Primary refinery | thousand metric tons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lead: Production: Secondary refinery, old scrap | thousand metric tons | 1,050 | 1,010 | 1,010 | 1,030 | 1,000 |
| Lead: Imports for consumption: Lead in concentrates | thousand metric tons | 1 | s | s | s | s |
| Lead: Imports for consumption: Refined metal, unwrought | thousand metric tons | 614 | 652 | 519 | 410 | 520 |
| Lead: Exports: Lead in concentrates | thousand metric tons | 262 | 255 | 246 | 260 | 220 |
| Lead: Exports: Refined metal, unwrought (gross weight) | thousand metric tons | 22 | 26 | 23 | 37 | 22 |
| Lead: Consumption, apparent | thousand metric tons | 1,640 | 1,630 | 1,500 | 1,410 | 1,500 |
| Lead: U.S. Net Import Reliance | % of consumption | 36% | 38% | 33% | 27% | 33% |
Frequently Asked Questions - Lead
Which country leads lead production (mine production)?
China leads the 2025 USGS country table for mine production, with 1,900 thousand metric tons (estimated) (42.2% of the reported world total). World output was 4,500 thousand metric tons in 2025.
Which country holds the largest reported lead reserves?
Australia ranks first in the USGS reserve table, with 34,000 thousand metric tons (Reserves) (35.8% of the reported world total) against a reported world total of 95,000 thousand metric tons.
What is US net import reliance and import sourcing for lead?
In 2025, US net import reliance was reported at 33% (Net import reliance as a percentage of apparent consumption, refined metal). Across 2021-24, leading US import sources (Refined metal) were Canada (31%), South Korea (16%), Mexico (15%).
How is lead classified on the US Critical Minerals List and what are its primary uses?
Status: Listed on 2025 US List (Added in 2025 Final List). Primary applications cited in USGS summaries include: Lead-acid starting-lighting-ignition (SLI) and industrial backup batteries, radiation shielding, and ammunition. Primary lead is mined from galena ores (often polymetallic with zinc and silver), while secondary lead recycled from spent lead-acid batteries provides the majority of refined consumption in mature economies.