13 Dec 2023
Resource Revision for Indium in United States
America West Metals Ltd. updated the inferred mineral resource estimate for the West Desert zinc‑copper‑iron‑indium deposit in Utah, adding 675 t of indium to the resource base.
Indium production
Produced Indium
Indium is a soft, silvery-white post-transition metal that is primarily produced as a byproduct of zinc and tin smelting. It has low melting and boiling points, making it an ideal material for high-tech applications. Its unique properties include a low coefficient of thermal expansion and high ductility. The largest deposits of indium are found in Canada, China, and Japan. Indium's primary use is in the production of indium tin oxide (ITO), which is used to make transparent conductive films for LCD screens, plasma...
Indium is a soft, silvery-white post-transition metal that is primarily produced as a byproduct of zinc and tin smelting. It has low melting and boiling points, making it an ideal material for high-tech applications. Its unique properties include a low coefficient of thermal expansion and high ductility.
The largest deposits of indium are found in Canada, China, and Japan. Indium's primary use is in the production of indium tin oxide (ITO), which is used to make transparent conductive films for LCD screens, plasma screens, touchscreen displays, and solar panels. ITO increases the efficiency of energy conversion by allowing more sunlight to pass through while enabling electrical conductivity.
Indium is produced through thermal reduction of zinc or tin sulfide concentrates in a furnace, resulting in indium oxide. This oxide is then reduced using hydrogen or carbon to produce pure indium metal. Further refinement occurs through electrolysis or vacuum distillation to produce high-purity ingots, which are then rolled or drawn into sheets or wire for various applications.
Global Production History
Global Production Map
Production by Country
Country production pages
Countries Producing Produced Indium
Market intelligence
Relevant Events
23 May 2023
Processing Startup for Indium in Bolivia
State‑owned Empresa Metalurgica Vinto S.A. announced plans to construct a new zinc‑concentrate refinery in Bolivia that will process indium, gallium, and germanium, marking the second such facility in South America.
18 Jan 2020
Other for Indium in China
Yunnan Provincial government sold 3,609 tons of indium, equivalent to four years of global primary production, in a January auction, affecting global supply dynamics.
2020
Processing Expansion for Indium in China
The same company ramped up indium tin oxide production after completing small‑scale operations, expanding processing capacity for ITO, a major end‑use for indium.
2020
Processing Startup for Indium in China
The leading tin producer in China announced a new high‑purity indium production line with a 5‑ton‑per‑year capacity, increasing domestic supply and reducing reliance on imports.
1 Nov 2018
Processing Shutdown for Indium in China
Zhuzhou Touch Smelting ceased indium production in November 2018 due to regulatory constraints.
1 Jan 2018
Mine Progress for Indium in United States
The West Desert zinc‑copper‑iron‑indium deposit in Utah continued development progress in 2018.
1 Jan 2018
Processing Shutdown for Indium in China
Government environmental regulations caused small indium smelters in China to shut down in 2018.
1 Jan 2018
Processing Startup for Indium in China
China Triumph International Engineering Co. announced in January 2018 the development of three ITO production lines, expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
31 Dec 2017
Processing Shutdown for Indium in United States
Umicore shut down its Providence, RI ITO production facility, reducing U.S. indium processing capacity.
1 Jan 2017
Processing Restart for Indium in France
Nyrstar resumed indium production at its Auby zinc smelter after a fire had closed the plant in November 2015.
1 Jan 2017
Project Delay for Indium in China
Zhuzhou Touch Smelting announced a relocation plan in 2017, delaying indium production until the first quarter of 2019.
2017
Mine Restart for Indium in Belgium
Nyrstar restarted indium production at the Auby smelter in Q1 2017 after the fire‑induced shutdown.
Dec 2016
Regulatory Change for Indium in China
In December 2016, China’s new 2017 export quota list omitted indium, decreasing allowable export volumes and affecting supply.
May 2016
Regulatory Change for Indium in China
China removed the 2 % export duty on indium in May 2016, reducing export costs and altering trade dynamics.
5 Feb 2016
Regulatory Change for Indium in China
The owner of the Fanya Metal Exchange was arrested on February 5 2016 on suspicion of unlawful fundraising, indicating a regulatory crackdown that further impaired trading.
2016
Processing Expansion for Indium in Belgium
Nyrstar planned to increase Auby smelter capacity from 45 t/yr to 70 t/yr, with commissioning expected at the end of Q3 2016, expanding processing capacity.
2016
Processing Startup for Indium in Japan
Solar Frontier entered the ramp‑up phase of its new CIGS plant in 2016, increasing indium demand for solar‑cell manufacturing.
1 Nov 2015
Processing Shutdown for Indium in France
A fire in November 2015 closed Nyrstar’s Auby zinc smelter, halting indium production.
Nov 2015
Accident for Indium in Belgium
A fire at Nyrstar’s Auby smelter in Belgium halted indium production in 2016, causing a temporary closure and delaying the restart.
Nov 2015
Regulatory Change for Indium in China
Kunming municipal authorities took over the Fanya Metal Exchange in November 2015, nationalizing the facility and disrupting indium trading operations.
1 Mar 2015
Processing Startup for Indium in Japan
Solar Frontier K.K. began construction of its fourth CIGS solar‑cell plant in Ohira‑mura, Miyagi Prefecture, adding a 150‑MW/yr capacity, expected to start production in March 2015.
2015
Other for Indium in China
Fanya Metal Exchange, a key platform for indium trading, closed in 2015, reducing market liquidity and potentially impacting price discovery.
2015
Resource Revision for Indium in United States
InZinc Mining Ltd. released a preliminary economic assessment of its West Desert zinc‑copper‑iron‑indium deposit in Utah, estimating an indium production potential of 38 t/yr over a 15‑year mine life.
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