Which Group 12 elements occur naturally in Earth’s crust?

The Group 12 elements, also known as the zinc group elements, consist of zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and copernicium (Cn). Among these, only zinc, cadmium, and mercury occur naturally in Earth’s crust.1

• Zinc (Zn): It is the most abundant of the three, present in the Earth’s crust at an estimated concentration of 80 parts per million. It is primarily found in the mineral sphalerite (zinc sulfide).123
• Cadmium (Cd): This is a rare element, occurring at approximately 0.15 parts per million in the crust. It does not typically form its own major deposits but is found in small quantities associated with zinc or lead ores.13
• Mercury (Hg): It occurs in the crust at an estimated 0.08 parts per million. Its primary ore is the red sulfide mineral cinnabar, though native mercury is occasionally found near volcanoes or hot springs.14

Copernicium (Cn) does not occur naturally in the Earth's crust; it has only been produced in a particle accelerator.1