New data from Brand Finance reveals an overall uptick in brand value across the sector. Chinese brands, led by Jiangxi Copper, hit pay dirt with seven new entrants to dominate the rankings.

This year, more than half of the brands in the ranking of the world’s most valuable and strongest Mining, Metals & Minerals brands witnessed an increase in brand value, according to new data from Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy. This year, 11 brands from the US, China, and South Korea entered the ranking.

Based on Brand Finance’s first-ever sector-specific research this year, 28 of 39 brands from the previous year’s ranking recorded increased brand value. BHP is now the world’s most valuable Mining, Metals & Minerals brand, following a 17% increase to a brand value of USD6.1 billion. The Australian brand reclaims the crown from Swiss brand Glencore (brand value down 1% to USD 5.9 billion). BHP is also the world’s strongest brand in the sector, now rated AAA, attributed to improved perceptions of its strong leadership and commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

Despite a struggling economy, Chinese Mining, Metals & Minerals brands showed resilience. Newcomers like Chinalco (valued at USD 1.4 billion) and CMOC (valued at USD1.3 billion) have bolstered China’s prevalence in the ranking, accounting for 11 out of 50 brands. Jiangxi Copper leads the Chinese entrants as the most valuable Chinese and fourth most valuable brand in the sector. Behind China, the US accounts for eight of the world’s top Mining, Metals & Minerals brands.

Higher raw metal prices, such as that for iron and aluminium, saw metals mining brands Alcoa, JSW Steel, and Ternium record the largest brand value gains among brands listed in the ranking. US brand Alcoa led the charge with a 127% increase to USD 1 billion. Behind Alcoa, India’s JSW Steel came in second (brand value up 77% to USD 1.1 billion), followed by Mexico’s Ternium (brand value up 55% to USD 714 million).