Thailand Mining & Minerals Market Intelligence
Thai mining ~THB 30B/yr. Limestone (cement) dominant; tin legacy; gypsum, kaolin, silica industrial; gold, zinc complex; potash, lithium emerging.
Key takeaways
- 1
Thai mining sector ~ annual revenue. Largest segment by volume, value: limestone for cement (SCG, TPIPL captive operations).
- 2
Tin: historically global top-10 producer (peak 1970s-80s); now small, declining, mostly southern peninsula. Gypsum, dolomite, silica sand serve glass, cement, ceramics industries.
- 3
Gold: Akara Resources Chatree Mine (Kingsgate Australian-owned) was Thailand's largest gold operation but suspended 2016 amid EIA, community dispute under Minerals Act 2017 reform. Multi-year arbitration ongoing.
- 4
Potash: ASEAN Potash Chaiyaphum, Thai Kali Udon Thani are large-deposit exploration projects. Both have faced community, permitting challenges. Strategic potential for fertilizer, chemical industry feedstock.
- 5
Lithium: emerging exploration for EV battery supply chain. DPIM, BIOTEC partnerships; commercial mining still 5-10 years out.
Executive summary
Thailand's mining sector generates approximately in annual revenue per Department of Primary Industries and Mines (DPIM). The dominant segment is limestone β quarried for cement production with SCG and TPIPL operating largely captive operations. Other industrial minerals: gypsum (cement, plasterboard), dolomite, silica sand (glass), kaolin, feldspar, ball clay (ceramics).[, , ]
Tin was historically Thailand's signature mineral β the country was a global top-10 producer from the 1950s through 1980s with concentrated southern peninsula operations. Today tin production is small and declining, though Thai metals trading remains active via the LME-linked tin market. Gold: Akara Resources operated Chatree Mine (Phichit) as Thailand's largest gold mine until ordered to suspend by the Prayut government in 2016, citing community, environmental concerns. Multi-year arbitration between Australian parent Kingsgate Consolidated and the Thai state continues.[, ]
Strategic upcoming plays: potash (ASEAN Potash Chaiyaphum, Thai Kali Udon Thani β large deposits, exploration phase, community, permitting challenges) and lithium (early exploration for the EV battery supply chain). The Minerals Act 2017 reform tightened EIA, public-consultation, financial-assurance requirements after the Chatree dispute; new mine permitting is now a multi-year process with strong NGO, community oversight.[, , ]
Thai mining sector revenue trend (THB billion, 2020-2024)
2020
Revenue (THB B)
25
Context
COVID demand trough
2021
Revenue (THB B)
27
Context
Recovery, cement demand
2022
Revenue (THB B)
29
Context
Construction, commodity prices
2023
Revenue (THB B)
30
Context
Stable cement, construction
2024
Revenue (THB B)
32
Context
EEC infrastructure boost
| Year | Revenue (THB B) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 25 | COVID demand trough |
| 2021 | 27 | Recovery, cement demand |
| 2022 | 29 | Construction, commodity prices |
| 2023 | 30 | Stable cement, construction |
| 2024 | 32 | EEC infrastructure boost |
Mineral mix (% FY2024)
Gypsum, dolomite, silica
Share %
End uses
Cement, glass, ceramics
Kaolin, feldspar, clay
Share %
End uses
Ceramics, paint
Gold, zinc, base metals
Share %
End uses
Akara Chatree suspended
Tin
Share %
8%
End uses
Legacy southern; declining
Other (tungsten, antimony)
Share %
5%
End uses
Niche industrial
| Mineral | Share % | End uses |
|---|---|---|
| Limestone | 45% | Cement (SCG, TPIPL captive) |
| Gypsum, dolomite, silica | 20% | Cement, glass, ceramics |
| Kaolin, feldspar, clay | 12% | Ceramics, paint |
| Gold, zinc, base metals | 10% | Akara Chatree suspended |
| Tin | 8% | Legacy southern; declining |
| Other (tungsten, antimony) | 5% | Niche industrial |
Analyst framing
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Key figures
Selected anchors from the report evidence pack.
Thailand Gypsum Production Volume
Department of Primary Industries and Mines, Thai Mining Industry Association
Thailand Cement-Grade Limestone Output
DPIM, SCG Annual Report, TPI Polene Annual Report
Mining Royalty Rate β Industrial Minerals
Minerals Act B.E. 2560, DPIM Ministerial Notifications, Revenue Department
Thailand Potash Proven Reserves
DPIM, ASEAN Potash Mining, academic surveys
TPI Polene Mining Concession Area
TPI Polene Annual Report, SET filings, DPIM concession registry
Thai mining and quarrying sector revenue (2020-2024)
Department of Primary Industries and Mines, NESDC National Accounts, USGS Mineral Yearbook
Phang-Nga lithium recoverable resource (Reung Kiet / Bang I-Tum)
Department of Primary Industries and Mines, Pan Asia Metals ASX disclosures, Bangkok Post mining coverage
Chatree gold-silver mine production (post-restart)
Kingsgate Consolidated, Akara Resources operational updates, Bangkok Post mining coverage
Banpu Group offshore coal production (Indonesia and Australia)
Banpu Plc, ITM Indonesia disclosures, Centennial Coal NSW production reports
Thailand mining production mix by mineral
Department of Primary Industries and Mines, USGS Mineral Yearbook, Thailand Cement Manufacturers Association
Limestone feeding Thai cement industry
Department of Primary Industries and Mines, Thailand Cement Manufacturers Association, SCG / TPI Polene / SCCC annual reports
Thailand tungsten concentrate production
USGS Mineral Yearbook, Department of Primary Industries and Mines, International Tungsten Industry Association
Civil Court / ICSID Chatree compensation award
Kingsgate Consolidated, ICSID case No. ARB/15/41 background, Bangkok Post mining coverage
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