Zrconium constitutes only about 0.025% of the Earth's crust. Most zirconium exists dispersedly in various minerals within the crust. There are 38 known independent zircon-bearing minerals, with zircon (ZrSiO4) and zircon (ZrO2) being the main industrially valuable zircon-bearing minerals.
Currently, industrial mining primarily focuses on coastal placer-type zirconium deposits. Australia, South Africa, Kenya, and Mozambique are the world's leading zirconium producers and exporters.
my country's zirconium reserves are roughly the same as those of the United States, approximately 500,000 tons, accounting for only 0.68% of global reserves. Compared to other countries, my country's zirconium resources are extremely scarce; therefore, my country mainly relies on imports. China's zirconium resources are all zircon deposits, which are mainly divided into two categories: zircon placer deposits and zircon hard rock deposits. Placer deposits are primarily distributed along the southeastern coast. In 2019, my country's zircon sand market demand was 620,200 tons, while domestic production was less than 10,000 tons, and imports exceeded 1 million tons for the past three years.
my country is the world's largest consumer of zircon resources, with a relatively stable consumption structure and little change in its share across various industries. It is mainly used in ceramics, chemical zirconium, fused zirconium, precision casting, and refractory materials. Zircon sand is primarily used in the production of chemical zirconium, fused zirconium, zirconium silicate, and metallic zirconium. China and Europe are the main consumer markets for zirconium, with China accounting for 52% of global demand. Europe is the world's second-largest consumer of zirconium resources, with Italy and Spain, as major producers of high-end ceramics, having significant demand. The United States has the earliest and most developed zirconium industry in the world, with its consumption primarily in high-end industries, including nuclear energy and aerospace. Japan is also an important zirconium-producing country, mainly using it in modern ceramics, catalysts, and advanced refractory materials.
