The Netherlands

In 2024, the Netherlands was the world’s 3d-ranked producer of sand and gravel (industrial) accounting for 15.7% of global production; 10th-ranked producer of cadmium accounting for 2.6% of global production; 12th-ranked producer of salt accounting for 2.1% of global production; and 14th-ranked producer of ammonia accounting for 1.3% of global production. Other mineral commodities produced in the country included cement; lead; pig iron; sand and gravel (construction); steel (raw and semimanufactured); stone (construction); and zinc. Production of basic metals and metal products in the manufacturing sector contributed 1.15% to the Netherland’s total output in 2024 and the mining and quarrying sector, 0.6%. The country’s major trade partners for mineral-related exports and imports of goods were Germany and Belgium. 

The legislative framework for the mineral sector in the Netherlands is provided by the Mining Act of January 2003, last amended in May 2024; the Mining Decree of January 2003, as amended; and the Mining Regulation of January 2003, as amended. Staatstoezicht op de Mijnen (the State Supervision of Mines, SodM), an agency of the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth (KGG), oversees the mineral sector. SodM supervises mineral and energy extraction, ensures compliance with laws and regulations, and monitors human safety and protection of the environment in the country.