Global lead mine production is set to grow from 4.75 Mt to around 5 Mt by 2020, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. The company’s latest report states that this growth can be attributed to various upcoming lead projects including Russia’s Ozernoe mine, Mexico’s San Rafael project, and Australia’s Dugald River project (pictured).

Cliff Smee, GlobalData’s Head of Research and Analysis for Mining, explains: “A major driver of demand for lead is the global automobile industry. Lead is predominantly used in manufacturing lead-acid batteries which are widely consumed in automobiles, and in 2015 global automobile production was 907 million units including, 685 million cars and 222 million commercial vehicles”

In 2015, the global lead mine (or metal content in the ore) production plunged 78% to 4.6 Mt as production from China declined by a substantial 252%, followed by Australia at 106% and the US at 55% This was due to sluggish economic conditions and falling demand for lead acid batteries, which also meant that global lead prices fell by 147% over the same period However, it is likely demand since 2015 has recovered.