In 2023 (the latest year for which data were available), Malaysia was the world’s fourth-ranked producer of smelted tin, accounting for 5.8% of global production. In 2024, Malaysia was the world’s 10th-ranked producer of mined tin, accounting for 1.9% of global production. Other mineral commodities produced included aluminum, bauxite, ferroalloys, gold, manganese (mined), rare earths (mined and processed), industrial sand, silver, titanium (mined mineral concentrates), and zirconium (mined mineral concentrates).
In 2024, the mining and quarrying sector contributed 6.0% to the gross domestic product. The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Malaysia is provided by the Mineral Development Act 1994, the State Mineral Enactments, the Mineral Development (Licensing) Regulations 2016, and the Mineral Development (Effluent) Regulations 2016. The mining and quarrying sector is regulated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability. Most of Malaysia’s mines, quarries, and processing facilities were operated by private domestic companies and subsidiaries of foreign companies.
Starting on January 1, 2024, the Government imposed a moratorium on exports of raw rare earths to protect resources and promote the downstream industry. The Government prohibited the imports of 21 metal waste and scrap, effective May 1, 2024. Lynas Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. of Australia reformed an existing solvent extraction circuit to produce separated heavy rare-earth oxides, such as dysprosium and terbium. First production was expected in 2025.
