Hungary

The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Hungary is provided by the Mining Act No. 48 of 1993, and Governmental Decree 203/1998 on the Act’s implementation. The Supervisory Authority of Regulated Activities (SZTFH) oversees the mineral sector and is responsible for ensuring compliance with rules on the management of mineral assets, environmental protection, and safety during activities under its supervision. Most mineral commodities were produced by domestic private companies. In 2024, Hungary’s perlite production was estimated at 78,000 metric tons (t), which was essentially unchanged compared with that in 2023. Zeolite production was estimated at 30,000 t, a decrease of about 6.2% compared with that in 2023. 

2024 Report

Full data release with tables here.

In 2024, Hungary was estimated to be the fifth-ranked producer of perlite accounting for 1.7% of global production and ninth-ranked producer of zeolites accounting for 2.4% of global production. Other minerals produced in the country included alumina, aluminum (secondary), bentonite, cement, diatomite, pig iron, lime, nitrogen (ammonia), peat, sand and gravel, steel (raw and semimanufactured), stone, and sulfur. Data on mineral production are in the Production table (formerly table 1). Production of mineral commodities represented only a minor part of the economy. Hungary’s major trade partners for mineral-related exports by value, Harmonized System (H.S.) chapters 25–27, 71–76, and 78–81, were Germany, Romania, and Ukraine and for mineral-related imports by value were Austria, Russia, and Slovakia (Trade Data Monitor LLC, 2026; Merrill, 2026; Simmons, 2026). 

The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Hungary is provided by the Mining Act No. 48 of 1993, and Governmental Decree 203/1998 on the Act’s implementation. The Supervisory Authority of Regulated Activities (SZTFH) oversees the mineral sector and is responsible for ensuring compliance with rules on the management of mineral assets, environmental protection, and safety during activities under its supervision. Most mineral commodities were produced by domestic private companies. The Facilities table (formerly table 2) is a list of major mineral industry facilities. More-extensive coverage of Government policies and programs can be found in previous editions of this chapter in the U.S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook, volume III, Area Reports—International—Europe and Central Eurasia, which are available at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/europ… (Szabályozott Tevékenységek Felügyeleti Hatósága, undated a, b). 

Commodity Review 

Perlite.—In 2024, Hungary’s perlite production was estimated at 78,000 metric tons (t), which was essentially unchanged compared with that in 2023. Perlit-92 Kft. operated two perlite quarries in Bozsva and Palhaza, as well as a preparation plant near the quarry in Palhaza. Perlit‑92 exported approximately 90% of its perlite to about 18 countries throughout Europe. The leading recipients of Hungary’s exports of H.S. subheading 253010 for vermiculite, perlite, and chlorite were, by value, Germany, Poland, and Austria (Facilities table; Production table; Trade Data Monitor LLC, 2026; Perlit-92 Kft., undated). 

Zeolites.—Hungary produced an estimated 30,000 t of zeolites in 2024, a decrease of 6.2% compared with that in 2023. The country’s zeolite minerals were mined from seven quarries located in Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen and Heves Counties: the Kazár VII. Quarry owned by Axis Bentonit Kft.; the Mád III., Mezőzombor II., Rátka V., and Rátka VII. quarries owned by GEOPRODUCT Gyógyító Ásványok Kutatási-, Bányászati-, Ásványelőkészítési-, Fejlesztési és Alkalmazási Kft.; the Rátka IV. (Vasútmenti) Quarry owned by Josab Hungary Kft.; and the Mezőzombor (Hangácstető) Quarry owned by ZEOLIT TRADING Kft (Facilities table; Production table).  

Production table

(Metric tons, gross weight, unless otherwise specified)

References Cited 

• Merrill, A.M., 2026, Zeolites (natural): U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 210–211. 

• Perlit-92 Kft., [undated], Sales activity: Palhaza, Hungary, Perlit-92 Kft. (Accessed February 3, 2026, at https://www.perlit92.hu/erteken.html.) 

• Simmons, K.J., 2026, Perlite: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 140–141. 

• Szabályozott Tevékenységek Felügyeleti Hatósága, [undated]a, Bányászati felügyeleti tevékenység [Mining supervision activity]: Budapest, Hungary, Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities. (Accessed February 3, 2026, at https://sztfh.hu/tevekenysegek/banyaszati-felugyeleti-tevekenyseg/.) [In Hungarian.] 

• Szabályozott Tevékenységek Felügyeleti Hatósága, [undated]b, Jogforrások—Bányászati és földtani tevékenységet érintő jogforrások [Legal source—Legal sources concerning mining and geologicaactivities]: Budapest, Hungary, Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities. (Accessed February 3, 2026, at https://sztfh.hu/hatosag/jogforrasok/.) [In Hungarian.] 

• Trade Data Monitor LLC, 2026, Trade Data Monitor database: Charleston, South Carolina, Trade Data Monitor LLC. (Accessed February 2, 2026, at https://tradedatamonitor.com/.)