Natural ResourcesAug 5, 2024
Top Countries Dependent on Mining for Their Exports
What We’re Showing
This graphic ranks the most mining resource-dependent countries in the world, based on 2019–2021 averaged figures from UN Trade and Development.
What is Resource Dependency?
A country is considered resource dependent when over 60% of its exports are primary commodities. For this graphic we have only included countries where mineral, ores, and metals represent more than 60% of its total exports. Resource dependency can make a country vulnerable to economic shocks via price fluctuations.
Key Takeaways
- Around 90% of Botswana’s exports are concentrated in the diamond mining sector. It is also the top producer of raw, uncut diamonds in the world
- Of the top 10 countries whose exports are predominantly mining-based, seven are from Africa
Dataset
| Rank | Country | Region | % of Exports from Mining | Top Mineral/Metal Export |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇧🇼 Botswana | Africa | 92% | Diamonds |
| 2 | 🇬🇳 Guinea | Africa | 87% | Gold |
| 3 | 🇲🇱 Mali | Africa | 85% | Gold |
| 4 | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | Africa | 84% | Gold |
| 5 | 🇸🇷 Suriname | South America | 83% | Gold |
| 6 | 🇿🇲 Zambia | Africa | 79% | Copper |
| 7 | 🇨🇩 DRC | Africa | 77% | Copper |
| 8 | 🇲🇷 Mauritania | Africa | 66% | Gold |
| 9 | 🇬🇾 Guyana | South America | 64% | Gold |
| 10 | 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan | Asia | 62% | Gold |
| 11 | 🇳🇦 Namibia | Africa | 61% | Diamonds |
| 12 | 🇵🇪 Peru | South America | 61% | Copper |
Data sources
Only countries with 60%+ concentration in mining exports included. Figures rounded.
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