Thailand

2024 Report

Full data release with tables here.

Introduction 

In 2024, Thailand was estimated to be the world’s sixth-ranked producer of feldspar, accounting for 6.1% of global production, and the seventh-ranked producer of mined gypsum, accounting for 5.4%. The country’s other major mineral products included fluorspar. Based on import data reported by China, Thailand presumably mined and exported monazite (a primary rare-earth mineral) (Crangle, 2026; Johnston, 2026; Londono, 2026; Simmons, 2026). 

Minerals in the National Economy 

In 2024, Thailand’s real gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 2.5%. The country’s nominal GDP was \$527 billion. The mining and quarrying sector and the manufacturing sector contributed 1.6% and 24% to the GDP, respectively. The mining and quarrying sector employed 60,110 people, accounting for 0.15% of total employment (of about 39.8 million people) in the country (Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, 2025, table 4; Bank of Thailand, 2026; World Bank, The, 2026). 

Government Policies and Programs 

The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Thailand is provided by the Minerals Act, B.E. 2510 (1967), as amended in 2002 and 2017. The Department of Primary Industries and Mines within the Ministry of Industry is responsible for supervising and promoting the mineral industry and setting safety and pollution control requirements. 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—Asia and the Pacific, which are available at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/asia-…;

Production 

Data on mineral production are in the Production table (formerly table 1). 

Structure of the Mineral Industry 

Thailand officially had 477 active nonfuel mines and quarries in 2023 (the latest year for which data were available). These included 3 mines for barite, 11 for feldspar, 6 for fluorspar, 33 for gypsum, 4 for iron ore, 1 for manganese, and 2 for tin and (or) tungsten; the remaining mines were for other industrial minerals (Department of Primary Industries and Mines, 2024, 79–80). Most of the nonfuel mineral mining and mineral-processing companies were privately owned and operated. The Facilities table (formerly table 2) is a list of major mineral industry facilities. 

Mineral Trade 

In 2024, Thailand’s exports and imports totaled about \$301 billion and \$306 billion, respectively. Exports of metal ores, slag, and ash were valued at \$241 million, of which China was the leading recipient, accounting for 50%. Exports of base metals and articles of base metal were \$16 billion, with China and the United States receiving 15%, each. Imports of metal ores, slag, and ash were \$618 million, of which Burma, China, and Congo (Brazzaville) were the leading suppliers, accounting for 18%, 16%, and 14%, respectively. Imports of base metals and articles of base metal were \$34 billion, with China supplying 37% (Ministry of Commerce, 2026; Trade Data Monitor LLC, 2026).  

Commodity Review 

Feldspar.—Production of feldspar in 2024 was estimated to be about 1.9 million metric tons (Mt), of which 0.96 Mt was exported. Bangladesh was the leading destination, receiving 0.78 Mt. Asia Mineral Processing Co. Ltd. was Thailand’s leading feldspar miner and processor. The company produced the sodium feldspar used in the production of walls, floor tiles, glass, and so forth (Production table; Asia Mineral Processing Co. Ltd., 2026; Trade Data Monitor LLC, 2026). 

Fluorspar.—In 2024, Thailand exported about 66,400 metric tons (t) of metallurgical grade fluorspar (97% or less calcium fluoride), 54% of which was exported to China and 38% to India. Mujim Group of China was the Thailand’s leading fluorspar producer. During the year, Mujim’s subsidiary Yixin Mining Co. Ltd. added new fluorspar production lines at facilities in Ban Hong and upgraded its technology, with the goal of increasing fluorspar lump supply (Mujim Group, 2024; Trade Data Monitor LLC, 2026). 

Lithium.—Lithium being explored for in Thailand was mainly found within the mineral lepidolite. Flagship Minerals Ltd. of Australia (formerly Pan Asia Metals Ltd.) planned to seek mining permits for the Reung Kiet project, including the Bang I Tum Prospect, in Phang Nga Province. The company expected to start lithium chemical production from Reung Kiet by 2026 (Voice of America, 2024). 

Rare Earths.—No data were available on Thailand's rare-earth mines or production.  Thailand was, however, presumed to have mined and exported monazite (a primary rare-earth mineral) based on China’s import records. In 2024, Thailand exported 3,630 t of monazite concentrate to China, a decrease from the 6,130 t in 2023. China remained the sole recipient of Thailand’s monazite concentrate export. Thailand, by quantity, accounted for 7.5% of China’s total imports of monazite concentrate (Trade Data Monitor LLC, 2026).   

Production table

(Metric tons, gross weight, unless otherwise specified)

References Cited 

• Asia Mineral Processing Co. Ltd., 2026, Product specification: Bangkok, Thailand, Asia Mineral Processing Co. Ltd. (Accessed February 24, 2026, at https://www.asiamineral.co.th/sodium-ProductSpecification.html.) 

• Bank of Thailand, 2026, Labour force survey: Bangkok, Thailand, Bank of Thailand, February 27. (Accessed March 16, 2026, at https://app.bot.or.th/BTWS_STAT/statistics/BOTWEBSTAT.aspx?reportID=638…;

• Crangle, Rob, 2026, Gypsum: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 94–95. 

• Department of Primary Industries and Mines, 2024, Mineral statistics of Thailand 2019–2023: Bangkok, Thailand, Department of Primary Industries and Mines, December, 105 p. (Accessed March 17, 2026, at https://www1.dpim.go.th/dt/pper/000001739766285.pdf.) 

• Johnston, S.N., 2026, Rare earths: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 152–153. 

• Londono, Vanessa, 2026, Fluorspar: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 80–81. 

• Ministry of Commerce, 2026, Report on Thailand's international trade statistics: Nonthaburi, Thailand, Ministry of Commerce. (Accessed March 17, 2026, via https://tradereport.moc.go.th/en/stat/reportyear01.) 

• Mujim Group, 2024, Thai Yixin Mining welcomes delegation from Central Glass Japan for in-depth cooperation discussions: Shanghai, China, Mujim Group, May 17. (Accessed March 23, 2026, at https://mujimgroup.com/blog/47.html.) 

• Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, 2025, Gross domestic product (chain volume measures): Bangkok, Thailand, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council. March 18. (Accessed March 17, 2026, via https://www.nesdc.go.th/all-tables-qgdp-download-excel-files/.) 

• Simmons, K.J., 2026, Feldspar and nepheline syenite: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 78–79. 

• Trade Data Monitor LLC, 2026, Global trade data statistics: Trade Data Monitor LLC. (Accessed March 17, 2026, via https://www1.tdmlogin.com/tdm/default.asp.) 

• Voice of America, 2024, Thailand aims for lithium production: Voice of America, January 27. (Accessed March 23, 2026, at https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/thailand-aims-for-lithium-product….) 

• World Bank, The, 2026, GDP (current US$)—Thailand: Washington, DC, The World Bank. (Accessed March 16, 2026, via https://data.worldbank.org/country/thailand.)