France rail freight tonnage: metal ores and mining
France rail freight tonnage: metal ores and mining stood at 6.39 million tonnes in 2025, according to SDES – Service des données et études statistiques (Ministère de la Transition écologique). It is one of the indicators in the Freight transport (annual) table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 2016 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Freight transport (annual) table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonnes transported by type of goods (NST 2007) | |||||||||||
| Metal ores, peat and other mining products | 6.39 | 6.17 | 6.16 | 6.6 | 8.21 | 6.84 | 5.94 | 6.93 | 9.05 | 8.12 | |
| Food products, beverages and tobacco | 4.67 | 4.16 | 4.14 | 5.35 | 4.74 | 4.8 | 4.33 | 5.3 | 5.38 | 3.84 |
Understanding france rail freight tonnage: metal ores and mining
The physical mass of extracted metal-bearing ores, peat, and miscellaneous earthy materials hauled by rail networks is compiled in this metric, measured in million tonnes. The collection scope covers raw mineral extraction destined for metallurgical processing plants, construction aggregate yards, or industrial chemical facilities. This series specifically excludes processed basic metals, refined fuel products, and non-metallic mineral manufactures, focusing solely on the upstream mining output. It measures the gross weight of the raw earthy material as loaded at the quarry or minehead siding.
Interpreting this measure necessitates tracking global commodity market conditions and primary industrial demand, as extraction volumes fluctuate closely with heavy manufacturing cycles. Analysts should examine annual data to identify structural trends in domestic mining activity, avoiding short-term month-to-month or period-to-period noise that reflects temporary logistical bottlenecks. A common analytical error is treating these figures as an indicator of final construction output, since raw ores undergo extensive smelting and refining before reaching end-use markets.
Frequently asked questions
- Are refined metal products included in this mining and ore classification?
- No, smelted and refined metals are categorized separately under basic metal manufacturing.
- What non-metal materials are grouped alongside metal ores in this row?
- The series includes peat and various other raw mining products that do not fit into energy or agricultural classifications.
- Why might mining transport volumes diverge from general economic growth?
- Extraction volumes depend heavily on international raw material demand and domestic resource depletion rates, which can move independently of broader service or retail sectors.