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Zinc is a solid transition metal that can be found in air, water, plants, animals, and humans. However, the majority of zinc is mined from the earth's crust. Zinc is used for many industrial processes and materials, but about half of the zinc mined globally is used to galvanize steel, which is widely used in sectors ranging from construction to infrastructure. and automobiles to home appliances, machinery and shipbuilding. The metal can be used as anti-corrosion agents, chemicals and as semi-manufacturing agents. Zinc is often used as part of alloys, especially in combination with copper such as brass. Much of zinc mining takes place underground, but this method of production accounts for more than half of all mining. The largest global zinc reserves are in Australia and China, although the world's two largest zinc producers are China and Peru.

Amid worries over the outlook for China's steel industry, zinc futures fell below $2,900 a ton, reaching a seven-week low. Due to low producer prices and poor demand, China's steel industry is facing difficulties as September experienced the biggest monthly decline in industrial profits this year. Despite a 2% month-over-month increase in September, China's production of refined zinc is still more than 8% below its annual level. However, immediate supply concerns were alleviated by growing stocks in LME warehouses. However, restrictions affecting equipment are causing output delays at Russia's Ozernoye, creating doubt about its estimated 320,000-ton contribution to world supply in 2025, or around 2.5% of the total, which might have an influence on predictions for the following year.

In 2020, the main zinc ore exporters are Australia ($1.38 billion), Peru ($1.01 billion), the United States ($860 million), Mexico ($631 million) and Bolivia ($566 million). . In 2020, the main importers of zinc ore were China ($2.12 billion), South Korea ($1.14 billion), Belgium ($596 million), Canada ($591 million) and Spain ($572 million).