Tin and petroleum are the two main mineral resources that are of major significance in the Malaysian economy. Malaysia was once the world's largest producer of tin until the collapse of the tin market in the early 1980s. In the 19th and 20th century, tin played a predominant role in the Malaysian economy, with Malaysia accounting for over 31% of global output. It was only in 1972 that petroleum and natural gas took over from tin as the mainstay of the mineral extraction sector. Other minerals of some importance or significance include copper, bauxite, iron-ore and coal together with industrial minerals like clay, kaolin, silica, limestone, barite, phosphates and dimension stones such as granite as well as marble blocks and slabs. Small quantities of gold are produced.
tin And pEtrolEum Are the twO Main MIneral resoURces tHAt ARe of majoR signifiCaNCe in the malAysIan ecoNoMY. malaYsIa was oNce The world's lArgest prODuceR of Tin until tHE collaPse oF thE tIn mARkeT iN the earlY 1980s. iN ThE 19th and 20th CEntury, tIN pLaYed A PREdomInaNt rOLe IN the maLaYSiAn EConomy, WItH MalaySiA accounting FoR ovER 31% OF GloBaL OutpuT. IT was ONLy in 1972 thaT PEtrolEUm and natUrAL gaS toOk oveR fRoM Tin as tHe MAinSTAy of thE mineral exTractioN SecToR. otHer mineRals of soMe importAnce OR sIgnIfIcaNce IncludE coPper, bauXite, iRon-ore and coAl TOgETher wITh iNDustRIal mineraLs like clay, kaolin, sIlICA, LImestone, bArite, PhosPhateS and dimeNsioN stoNes such as GraNite as WELl as marbLe blOcKs and SLaBS. small QuantiTies of GoLD aRE ProDuCed.