Mining by country

Mining in Laos

What Laos mines: potash (4.9% of world output, #6), bismuth (3.1% of world output, #4), tin (0.6% of world output, #14). Mineral rents are 3.9% of GDP. Below: 1 mine from open mine databases.

Mineral rents3.9%of GDP, 2021. Higher than 87% of countries.
Ores and metals20%of merchandise exports, 2023.
Biggest world rolePotash4.9% of world mine output, #6, 2025.
World top-3 producer of0minerals we track.
On our globe11 mines with open output data.
Governance, World Bank WGI 2025
  • Rule of law-0.64above 32% of countries
  • Political stability+0.55above 64% of countries
  • Regulatory quality-0.66above 27% of countries
  • Control of corruption-0.99above 18% of countries
Estimates from −2.5 to +2.5; the bar sits at the country's score.

Share of world mine production

MineralWorld shareWorld rankYear
Potash4.9%62025
Bismuth3.1%42025
Tin0.6%142025

Mines

MineMineralsOperatorLatest published output
SeponCopper, Gold, SilverLane Xang Minerals Limited (LXML), subsidiary of MMG: MMG (90%), Laos Government (10%)62,941 t (2017)

By mineral

Bismuth minesPotash minesTin mines

World shares: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, latest year per mineral. Mineral rents, exports and governance: World Bank WDI and WGI. Trade: CEPII BACI. Projects: listed companies' announcements.