Raw materials are the backbone of the economy. The sufficient supply of mineral raw materials under fair market conditions is essential for a sustainable and well-functioning economy. Although the geological availability of minerals is relatively high, occurring disruptions can lead to a shortfall of mineral resources. Smouldering geopolitical crises and wars in Ukraine and Gaza relentlessly demonstrate our vulnerability in a globalized world with its complex dependencies and widely ramified value chains. Raw materials are necessary to secure our future viability and to solve the grand challenges in the fields of climate and energy, health, nutrition, mobility, digitalisation and security and defence. To foster the security of supply of commodities especially critical raw materials, fair trade, innovations along the entire value chain and the expansion of the circular economy are part of the solutions. Additionally, domestic production contributes to independence and strategic autonomy. A holistic and cross-policy approach is needed to meet these major challenges. Fact-based knowledge of mineral production, market concentrations and production trends are the basis of foresighted policy and decision-making. This can help to identify potential short or medium-term supply risks. I am delighted that the annual publication "World Mining Data" has served as a valuable basis for commodity forecasts of renowned national and international institutions for 39 years. In this way, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance provides an important contribution to international resource policy. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Austrian representations abroad as well as to international institutions for their support and active participation regarding this publication. Dr. Magnus Brunner Federal Minister of Finance Source: https://www.world-mining-data.info/