The world's 25 largest metals and mining companies recorded an aggregate market value of US$785.6 billion in December 2019, a 9.2% increase from the end-November total. All but two companies booked month-over-month increases in market capitalization in the last month of 2019, while the SNL Precious Metals Index rose 13.3%.
Among the 25 largest miners, precious metals miner Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. showed the largest increase in market cap, jumping 30.7% to US$15.8 billion and moving up six ranks to 16th place. The Chinese gold producer agreed to acquire Canada's Continental Gold Inc. in early December 2019 for US$1.24 billion, and its stock price subsequently increased from HK$2.93 on Nov. 29, 2019, to HK$3.02 on Dec. 2, 2019.
China Molybdenum Co. Ltd. saw the second-largest increase in market value among the companies on the list and the largest in the base metals space. The company's market cap was up 23.9% month over month to US$12.7 billion in December 2019 as it rose three places to become the 22nd-largest miner.
Only two companies, Hindustan Zinc Ltd. and Glencore PLC, recorded market cap decreases in December 2019. Glencore saw its market value decline by 1.3% to US$41.1 billion, slipping to fourth from fifth place, while Hindustan Zinc logged a 1.8% decrease in market value to US$12.4 billion and dropped four places to the 23rd spot.