According to The Serbian Economist, mass production of humanoid robots officially began on August 29 in Šabac, Serbia, as part of a joint project between the Chinese companies Minth Group and AGIBOT. The Serbian Development Agency (RAS) calls this facility Europe’s first mass-production base for humanoid robots. The first phase of the project is estimated at 20 million euros.
Production is underway at the existing Minth Metal Parts Majur facility in Šabac. The first robot assembled there was assigned a serial number during the opening ceremony, which was attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Minth Group founder Qing Zhonghua, and representatives of AGIBOT, the Serbian government, the city of Šabac, and the Serbian Development Agency.
“Today, Serbia has taken a step into the future and demonstrated that it is capable of moving forward at a pace unmatched by many more developed European countries,” Vučić stated at the plant’s opening.
According to the president, in the first phase, the plant expects to assemble more than 5,000 robots per year, and initially, about 200 people will work directly in this new division. In the future, the project is set to transition from assembly to deeper localization of production. Vučić emphasized that he considers it fundamentally important for the robots to bear the “Made in Serbia” label.
The next phase of the project is significantly larger in scale. Minth intends to build the Robotics Industrial Park in Indija, with a total planned investment of approximately 200 million euros. The park is designed to integrate the production of robots, unmanned systems, batteries, and other high-tech components. Once the project is implemented, the stated production capacity could reach 20,000 humanoid robots and robot dogs per year, targeting both the European and global markets.
The project is particularly interesting because the technology is coming to Serbia not from a small experimental company. Minth’s technology partner is the Shanghai-based company AGIBOT Innovation, founded in 2023 and specializing in embodied AI—the combination of artificial intelligence with robots capable of perceiving their surroundings, making decisions, and performing physical tasks.
According to research firm Smart Analytics Global, global shipments of humanoid robots totaled approximately 19,100 units in the first half of 2026, an increase of 272% compared to the previous year. AGIBOT shipped approximately 8,400 robots and captured 44% of the global market, ahead of Unitree Robotics, which held a 31% share. Thus, the Serbian project’s technology partner is currently the world’s largest supplier of humanoid robots in terms of shipment volume.
AGIBOT already has its own production facility in Shanghai. The company produced its first 1,000 general-purpose robots in early 2025, and by mid-2026, total production had reached 15,000 units, according to RAS.
The second project participant—Minth Group—is significantly older and larger. The company was founded by Qin Junhua in the 1990s and is now one of the world’s leading manufacturers of automotive components. Minth is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the ticker 0425.HK and specializes in body panels, exterior automotive components, aluminum parts, and battery casings.
According to the group’s own data, as of the end of 2025, it had 27,400 employees, approximately 80 factories and offices in 15 countries across four continents.
Another component of the emerging cluster is expected to be the battery industry. Vučić stated that the first agreements are planned to be signed with Reliance regarding a battery plant in Indija worth approximately 100.5 million euros. This project is expected to be linked to a future robotics and unmanned systems park.
https://t.me/relocationrs/3563
According to Experts.news, in 2024 Ukraine ranked 35th in the world in terms of the number of patent applications filed, with 2,559 applications, while China remains the undisputed global leader with 1.828 million applications, according to an analysis of global patent activity prepared by Volodymyr Khaustov, scientific secretary of the State Institution “Institute of Economics and Forecasting of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,” and published by the Experts Club Information and Analytical Center.
Ranking of Countries by Number of Patent Applications in 2024
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Intellectual Property Indicators, Table A60 “Patent applications by office and origin, 2024”; calculations and systematization are presented in a study by Volodymyr Khaustov and the Experts Club analytical center.
Primary aluminum production in the Gulf countries totaled 293,000 metric tons in July, down 44% from the same month in 2025, according to preliminary estimates by the International Aluminum Institute (IAI).
Production volumes continue to remain near their lowest level in more than fifteen years due to the impact of the military conflict in the Middle East on plant operations in the region. Two plants in the Gulf countries, which account for about 9% of global primary aluminum production capacity, were attacked by Iran in late March.
However, production has risen slightly from the local low of 274,000 metric tons recorded in April. In May, production totaled 281,000 metric tons, and in June, 276,000 metric tons, according to revised IAI data.
Emirates Global Aluminium reported in August that the resumption of operations at its Al-Tawil plant (Abu Dhabi) following an emergency shutdown in March is proceeding faster than expected. However, a return to previous production levels may not occur until early 2027 at the earliest. The plant, which has an annual capacity of 1.5 million metric tons, is currently operating at approximately 18% of capacity.
Global primary aluminum production in July fell by 1.7% year-over-year to 6.16 million metric tons. In particular, production in China rose by 2.7% to 3.866 million metric tons. In North America, the figure remained unchanged (330,000 metric tons); in Europe, it rose by 7.5% (to 643,000 metric tons); and in Asia, excluding China, it increased by 2.7% (to 422,000 metric tons).
For a more detailed overview of global aluminum production from 1970 to 2024, watch the video on the Experts Club YouTube channel.
China retained its status as the world’s largest zinc producer at the end of 2025, while Peru and Russia posted the most notable growth among the leading producing countries. Global zinc production returned to growth after several years of sluggish performance, according to the Experts Club information and analytical center.
This is evidenced by data from the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, published on February 6, 2026, and subsequently updated in May. The USGS describes this report as the earliest comprehensive source of data on global mineral production for 2025.
Largest zinc-producing countries in 2025
According to USGS estimates, the ranking of the leading producers is as follows:
| Rank | Country | Mine production in 2025 | Mine production in 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 4.10 million tonnes | 4.00 million tonnes |
| 2 | Peru | 1.50 million tonnes | 1.27 million tonnes |
| 3 | Australia | 1.10 million tonnes | 1.10 million tonnes |
| 4 | India | 870,000 tonnes | 870,000 tonnes |
| 5 | Mexico | 780,000 tonnes | 773,000 tonnes |
| 6 | United States | 670,000 tonnes | 759,000 tonnes |
| 7 | Bolivia | 500,000 tonnes | 512,000 tonnes |
| 8 | Russia | 430,000 tonnes | 310,000 tonnes |
| 9 | Kazakhstan | 360,000 tonnes | 380,000 tonnes |
| 10 | Sweden | 230,000 tonnes | 239,000 tonnes |
Thus, the ten largest producers accounted for approximately 10.54 million tonnes, or 81% of global mine production, based on the USGS estimate of 13 million tonnes.
China increased production by approximately 2.5% to 4.1 million tonnes and accounted for almost one-third of global mine production. The gap between China and its closest competitors remains enormous: Chinese enterprises mined almost as much zinc as Peru, Australia and India combined.
One of the main changes in 2025 was the increase in mine production in Peru by approximately 18%, to 1.5 million tonnes. The country strengthened its second-place position in the global ranking. The International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) linked the growth, in particular, to increased production at the large Antamina polymetallic mine and the recovery of other capacities.
The position of Russia changed significantly. According to USGS estimates, mine production increased from 310,000 tonnes in 2024 to 430,000 tonnes in 2025, allowing the country to move ahead of Kazakhstan and approach Bolivia. One of the key factors was increased production at the new Ozernoye deposit in Buryatia, where concentrate output began in September 2024. The ILZSG also cited the commissioning of Ozernoye as one of the factors behind the growth of European zinc production in 2025.
The United States moved in the opposite direction. U.S. mine production declined by approximately 12%, from 759,000 to 670,000 tonnes. The USGS attributes the decline mainly to lower zinc grades in the ore at the Red Dog mine in Alaska. The mine’s operator, Teck Resources, reported that Red Dog itself reduced zinc production from 555,600 tonnes in 2024 to 462,700 tonnes in 2025.
Why the 2025 ranking does not include separate positions from 11th to 20th
Unlike some previous statistical compilations, the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 does not disclose separate country figures beyond tenth place. Their production is combined under the Other countries category, which accounted for approximately 2 million tonnes of zinc in 2025. Therefore, compiling an accurate top 20 exclusively from publicly available USGS statistics would be incorrect. A detailed ILZSG country database exists, but the complete dataset is available by subscription.
At the same time, notable changes occurred among second-tier producers. Mine production grew particularly rapidly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo following the commissioning of the Kipushi mine. Ivanhoe Mines reported that this mine alone produced 203,200 tonnes of zinc in concentrate in 2025, compared with approximately 50,000 tonnes during its start-up period in 2024. Thus, the DR Congo has already approached the production volumes of the group of countries immediately following the top ten.
The ILZSG also noted growth in mine production in 2025 in South Africa, Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and other European countries. Irish mine production recovered following the return of the Tara mine to operation, while additional supply came from new and expanding projects in the DR Congo, Russia and Iran.
Global zinc mine production returned to growth
The USGS estimates global zinc mine production in 2025 at approximately 13 million tonnes, compared with a revised 11.9 million tonnes a year earlier. At the same time, later ILZSG statistics provide a somewhat more conservative market estimate. According to data published by the group on April 23, 2026, global zinc mine production increased by 4.8% in 2025, reaching approximately 12.5 million tonnes. The difference is explained by the timing of the estimates, methodological differences and subsequent data revisions.
The main sources of additional supply were increased mine production in Peru and China, the commissioning and ramp-up to design capacity of new large mines, including Kipushi in the DR Congo and Ozernoye in Russia, as well as the recovery of several European enterprises.
At the same time, the USGS estimates global zinc reserves that are economically recoverable at approximately 240 million tonnes. The largest reserves are concentrated in Australia, with approximately 64 million tonnes, China with 60 million tonnes and Russia with 29 million tonnes. They are followed by Peru with 18 million tonnes and Mexico with 14 million tonnes.
Zinc remains one of the key industrial non-ferrous metals. Its main use is the galvanization of steel to protect it against corrosion, primarily in construction, infrastructure and the automotive industry. Zinc is also used to produce brass, alloys, chemical products and several new energy-storage systems.
CHINA, MINING, PERU, zinc, ZINC MINING
In January–July 2026, Ukraine imported $507.5 million worth of tractors, which is 2% more than during the same period last year, when imports totaled $497.8 million, according to data from the State Customs Service.
However, in July alone, tractor imports fell by 5% compared to July 2025 and by 3% compared to June of this year, to $70.6 million.
Germany was the largest supplier of tractors to Ukraine over the seven-month period, accounting for 19.4% of imports, or $98.3 million.
China supplied nearly the same volume—$98 million, or 19.3% of total imports. The United States ranked third with shipments worth $89.6 million, accounting for nearly 17.7%.
Thus, the three largest countries accounted for about 56.4% of all tractor imports into Ukraine during January–July.
Compared to last year, the supplier structure has changed. In January–July 2025, the United States was the largest supplier with $94.1 million in shipments, followed by China with $87.3 million and Germany with $83.9 million.
Over the year, shipments from Germany increased by approximately 17%, and those from China by more than 12%, while imports from the United States decreased by about 5%.
For the full year of 2025, Ukraine imported tractors worth $845.7 million, which was 7.9% higher than in 2024. The main suppliers at that time were also the United States ($179.7 million), Germany ($145 million), and China ($142.8 million).
Thus, in 2026, the growth in tractor imports continued, but its pace slowed noticeably: over the first seven months, the figure increased by only 2%, and by July, a negative year-over-year trend had already been recorded.
According to Experts.news, the price of aluminum rose in the final trading session of the week following several days of heightened volatility amid risks to supplies from the Middle East, changes in Chinese exports, and expectations of a possible easing of U.S. tariffs on Canadian aluminum.
On the London Metal Exchange on August 21, the price of aluminum rose by approximately 1.2% to $3,242 per metric ton. Other market indicators throughout the day showed prices ranging from about $3,230 to $3,250 per metric ton.
Over the past month, the metal has risen in price by about 1.8%, and compared to a year ago, aluminum remains nearly 24% more expensive.
Despite the rise during recent trading sessions, the price has fallen significantly from its early June high. At that time, three-month aluminum on the LME climbed to $3,787.5 per metric ton—its highest level in about four years. By mid-August, the price had fallen to approximately $3,270 per metric ton.
The main reason for the June surge was disruptions in supplies from the Middle East amid the conflict with Iran. Before the situation escalated, Gulf states accounted for about 10% of global primary aluminum production. Additional problems arose at plants that relied on gas supplies.
However, China offset a significant portion of the shortfall. In the first half of the year, Chinese exports of aluminum alloys nearly doubled to 238,500 metric tons, while shipments of semi-finished products increased by 18% to 3.2 million metric tons. At the same time, China’s domestic demand remained relatively weak, while primary aluminum production remained at a level close to historic highs.
Chinese companies are currently operating at the limit of the national production capacity cap of 45 million metric tons per year set by Beijing, which restricts the possibility of further rapid production expansion.
Trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada have become another factor affecting the market. According to Reuters, the parties have moved closer to an agreement that could potentially lower U.S. tariffs on Canadian aluminum from 50% to 25%. Such a decision could once again increase the appeal of Canadian aluminum shipments to the U.S. and reduce the volume of shipments to Europe.
As a result, the aluminum market is caught between two opposing trends: the recovery and growth of Chinese shipments are capping prices, while geopolitical risks, production constraints, and trade barriers are keeping them significantly higher than last year’s levels.
Earlier, the Experts Club think tank published a short video on global aluminum production from 1970 to 2024. According to the think tank’s analysis, in 2024, China produced about 43 million metric tons of primary aluminum, or approximately 60% of the global total. Next were India—about 4.2 million metric tons, Russia—3.8 million metric tons, Canada—3.3 million metric tons, and the UAE—2.7 million metric tons.
Watch a short Experts Club video on global aluminum production — https://youtube.com/shorts/cVVIjdMZL-w?si=dAUR8Purot4TxLsm
