On average, it takes 16.9 years from the discovery of mineral resources worldwide to production. Out of this total timeframe, the first 12.5 years on average correspond to the longest stage: discovery, exploration to feasibility; whereas the following 1.8 years are on average are dedicated to construction planning. Meanwhile, the last stage - construction to production - takes around 2.6 years on average.
Average lead times for mineral resources worldwide from discovery to production between 2010 and 2019
(in years)
Characteristic
Time in years
Discovery, exploration to feasibility
12.5
Construction planning
1.8
Construction to production
2.6
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Canary Media. (February 4, 2022). Average lead times for mineral resources worldwide from discovery to production between 2010 and 2019 (in years) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 11, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1297832/global-average-lead-times-for-mineral-resources-from-discovery-to-production/
Canary Media. "Average lead times for mineral resources worldwide from discovery to production between 2010 and 2019 (in years)." Chart. February 4, 2022. Statista. Accessed April 11, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1297832/global-average-lead-times-for-mineral-resources-from-discovery-to-production/
Canary Media. (2022). Average lead times for mineral resources worldwide from discovery to production between 2010 and 2019 (in years). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 11, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1297832/global-average-lead-times-for-mineral-resources-from-discovery-to-production/
Canary Media. "Average Lead times for Mineral Resources Worldwide from Discovery to Production between 2010 and 2019 (in Years)." Statista, Statista Inc., 4 Feb 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1297832/global-average-lead-times-for-mineral-resources-from-discovery-to-production/
Canary Media, Average lead times for mineral resources worldwide from discovery to production between 2010 and 2019 (in years) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1297832/global-average-lead-times-for-mineral-resources-from-discovery-to-production/ (last visited April 11, 2025)
Average lead times for mineral resources worldwide from discovery to production between 2010 and 2019 (in years) [Graph], Canary Media, February 4, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1297832/global-average-lead-times-for-mineral-resources-from-discovery-to-production/
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