Today, zinc is the fourth most consumed metal after steel, aluminum and copper. Being chemically active and able to create alloys with other metals easily, zinc is used in many compounds and alloys. It is used to protect other metals against corrosion for its strong electropositive property. Zinc is used as the main product or as galvanization, moulding alloy, brass and bronze alloy, zinc oxide and roll milled zinc alloys. 

Although many companies began operating and existing ones increased capacity, metal zinc offered to the market did not increase adequately due to bottlenecks in the processes. There were 70 countries in 1995 in the world that consumed 1x10³ tons/year according to the International Lead and Zinc Study Groups. There are 17 countries that consume more than 100x10³ tons/year. The top 10 countries' total consumption is 65% of the world consumption. 

50% of the total consumed zinc is used in galvanized steel. 20% in brass, 15% in moulding, 8% zinc oxide and 7% is used in unfinished products. In some sectors zinc is less consumed for its ecotoxic effects. Today, aluminum, magnesium and plastics are preferred in automotive sector.

 1.2 International Companies in the Sector

 International Lead And Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) and International Lead Zinc Research Organization (ILZRO), which works under ILZSG, are the most effective organizations in the sector worldwide. ILZSG has 30 participants that consume 80% and produces the 90% of the metal worldwide.

 This organization was founded by the United Nations to be an independent consultancy in 1959. The headquarters is in London and their field of activity is as follows:

 - To compile all kinds of information with future estimates about production, consumption, supply-demand and stocks of zinc-lead ore and metal.

 - To create a suitable basis on which governments can consult about international zinc-lead trade.

- To conduct studies of lead and zinc on the worldwide trade.

 - Arbitrary function on present and future disagreements, which cannot be solved by international trade laws.

 ILZRO is an observer participant of ILZSG. It constantly conducts researches on usage and technology of lead and zinc.

 The lead-zinc mining sector in the world is an integrated system, which covers the production of ore, prospecting of ore and producing the liquid metal form. For this reason the lead zinc concentrated ore production and trade are under the control of the metal producers.

 Companies from EU, USA, Japan, Australia and Canada have authority on the world ore production. The companies in these countries are in the international status and their partnership structures are very complex and intertwined.

 2.Present Situation in the World

 2.1 Reserves

 World metal zinc base reserve was calculated as 290x10⁶. Between years 1984 and 1993 108.7x10⁶  tons of new reserve has been located. Known zinc reserve in the world is estimated around 1.8x109⁹ tons. Adding up the uneconomical reserves this is as high as 4.4x10⁹ tons.

 World zinc reserves, metal zinc 

 Resource: ILZSG, Pocket Guide, 1997.

 World zinc reserve and production

Resource: Commodity Summaries, 2002, * : Estimated.

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