Supply chain footprint — snapshot year 2025
| Element | Share % | Quantity | Global rank | Confidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ga gallium |
99.0% | 750 tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS direct quote: "China accounted for 99% of worldwide primary low-purity gallium production." Production value 750,00… byproduct of Al, Zn |
| Si silicon |
84.8% | 3,900,000 tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS 2024e: 3,900 kt (up from 3,630 kt in 2023). China dominant in solar-grade and metallurgical Si metal. |
| W tungsten |
82.7% | 67,000 tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS 2024e mine production table: China 67,000 t W content. China remained the dominant global producer, consumer, and e… |
| Hg mercury |
80.0% | — | 1st | low | China is identified in USGS and UNEP primary-source material as the dominant remaining primary-mercury producer. The per… |
| Y yttrium |
75.0% | — | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025 Yttrium chapter states China produced most world yttrium from weathered clay ion-adsorption ore deposits i… |
| Ca calcium |
73.8% | 310 million tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025 table: China 2024e = 310,000 thousand metric tons. By far the world's largest lime producer. |
| Nd neodymium |
70.0% | — | 1st | high | Share of REE group, not Nd specifically |
| Ho holmium |
69.2% | 405 tonnes per year | 1st | high | China 2024e REE total: 270,000 t REO (production quota per USGS footnote 14; excludes undocumented production). China sh… |
| Lu lutetium |
69.2% | 135 tonnes per year | 1st | high | China 2024e REE total: 270,000 t REO (production quota per USGS footnote 14; excludes undocumented production). China sh… |
| Ce cerium |
69.2% | 270,000 tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025: China 270,000 t REO (2024e), 69.2% of the 390,000 t world total (rounded). USGS footnote 14: figure refle… |
| Tm thulium |
69.2% | — | 1st | high | China 2024e REE total: 270,000 t REO (USGS footnote 14: production quota; excludes undocumented production). China share… |
| Tb terbium |
69.2% | 270 tonnes per year | 1st | high | China 2024e REE total: 270,000 t REO (production quota per USGS footnote 14; excludes undocumented production). China sh… |
| Sm samarium |
69.2% | 7,557 tonnes per year | 1st | high | China 2024e REE total: 270,000 t REO (production quota per USGS footnote 14; excludes undocumented production). China sh… |
| Eu europium |
69.2% | — | 1st | high | China 2024e REE total: 270,000 t REO (production quota per USGS footnote 14; excludes undocumented production). China sh… |
| Yb ytterbium |
69.2% | 1,350 tonnes per year | 1st | high | China 2024e REE total: 270,000 t REO (production quota per USGS footnote 14; excludes undocumented production). China sh… |
| Dy dysprosium |
69.2% | 5,397 tonnes per year | 1st | high | China 2024e REE total: 270,000 t REO (production quota per USGS footnote 14; excludes undocumented production). China sh… |
| Er erbium |
69.2% | 1,350 tonnes per year | 1st | high | China 2024e REE total: 270,000 t REO (production quota per USGS footnote 14; excludes undocumented production). China sh… |
| Gd gadolinium |
69.2% | — | 1st | high | China 2024e: 270,000 t REO (USGS footnote 14: production quota; excludes undocumented production), 69.2% of 390,000 t wo… |
| La lanthanum |
69.2% | — | 1st | high | China 2024e: 270,000 t REO (footnote 14 in USGS: production quota; excludes undocumented production), 69.2% of 390,000 t… |
| Pr praseodymium |
69.2% | 12,150 tonnes per year | 1st | high | China 2024e REE total: 270,000 t REO (production quota per USGS footnote 14; excludes undocumented production). China sh… |
| Si silicon |
68.6% | 3,500,000 tonnes per year | 2nd | high | USGS 2024e: 3,500 kt Si content. Dominant global producer of ferrosilicon. |
| Sc scandium |
66.7% | 12.0 tonnes per year | 1st | high | China is the world's dominant Sc₂O₃ producer, estimated at ~12 t Sc₂O₃ in 2024e (~67% of world total). Chinese Sc produc… byproduct of Ni, Ti |
| F fluorine |
63.0% | — | 1st | high | Dominant producer; also largest consumer via domestic fluorochemicals industry |
| Sb antimony |
60.0% | 60,000 tonnes per year | 1st | high | China 2024e mine production: 60,000 metric tons; reserves revised based on Government reports. |
| C carbon |
51.7% | 4,780 million tonnes per year | 1st | high | Largest producer by far in 2024. |
| P phosphorus |
45.8% | 110 million tonnes per year | 1st | high | China 2024 estimate: 110,000 kt (up from 105,000 kt in 2023). USGS footnote: production data for large mines only, as re… |
| Pb lead |
44.2% | 1,900,000 tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025: China 1,900 kt lead content 2024e (down from 1,960 kt in 2023). World's largest lead mining nation; also … |
| Mo molybdenum |
42.3% | 110,000 tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025 table: China 110,000 metric tons 2024e (estimated), up from 96,000e in 2023. China is the world's largest … |
| Ti titanium |
37.1% | 3,300,000 tonnes per year | 2nd | high | USGS 2024e: 3,300 kt TiO2 content. Largest single ilmenite producer; also dominant TiO2 pigment consumer. |
| Zn zinc |
33.3% | 4,000,000 tonnes per year | 1st | high | China 2024e: 4,000,000 tonnes zinc content. Reserves revised 2024. |
| Ne neon |
30.0% | — | 2nd | low | PLACEHOLDER. Chinese share grew after the 2022 Ukraine disruption; specific current percentage is not cited here. Indust… |
| Ba barium |
25.6% | 2,100,000 tonnes per year | 2nd | high | China 2024e: 2,100,000 tonnes, up from 2,000,000 in 2023. Reserves revised 2024: 110,000 thousand metric tons. China sup… |
| Br bromine |
25.0% | 100,000 tonnes per year | 3rd | high | China 2024e: 100,000 metric tons (estimated). Down slightly from 101,000 in 2023. China produces from coastal brine and … |
| Sn tin |
23.0% | 69,000 tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025 table: China 69,000 metric tons (estimated) 2024e, down from 70,000 in 2023. China is the world's largest … |
| S sulfur |
22.4% | 19.0 million tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025 table: China 2024e = 19,000 thousand metric tons. Includes byproduct elemental sulfur from natural gas/pet… |
| Be beryllium |
21.4% | 77.0 tonnes per year | 3rd | high | China 2024e mine production: 77 metric tons. |
| Al aluminum |
20.7% | 93.0 million tonnes per year | 3rd | high | China. USGS 2024e: 93,000 thousand metric dry tons. |
| Na sodium |
19.6% | 55.0 million tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025 table: China 2024e = 55,000 thousand metric tons. |
| Li lithium |
17.1% | 41,000 tonnes per year | 3rd | high | China operated both mineral and brine projects and also expanded production capacity in 2024. |
| Sr strontium |
15.7% | 80,000 tonnes per year | 3rd | high | China 2024e: 80,000 tons gross weight celestite (unchanged from 2023). Reserves: 12,000,000 tons gross weight celestite.… |
| Ag silver |
13.2% | 3,300 tonnes per year | 2nd | high | China 2024e: 3,300 metric tons. Reserves revised based on government reports. byproduct of Au, Cu, Pb, Zn |
| K potassium |
13.1% | 6.3 million tonnes per year | 4th | high | China — USGS 2024 estimate: 6,300 thousand metric tons K2O equivalent. Primarily from Qinghai province (Qaidam Basin sal… |
| Au gold |
11.5% | 380 tonnes per year | 1st | high | China 2024e: 380 metric tons. Reserves revised 2024. Consistently the world's largest gold producer. |
| Fe iron |
10.8% | 270 million tonnes per year | 3rd | high | USGS MCS 2025: China 2024e = 270,000 thousand metric tons. Chinese domestic ore is largely low-grade; China imports high… |
| Re rhenium |
8.6% | 5,300 kg per year | 4th | high | USGS MCS 2025 table: China 5,300 kilograms in 2024. byproduct of Cu, Mo |
| Cu copper |
7.8% | 1.8 million tonnes per year | 4th | high | |
| B boron |
7.4% | 340,000 tonnes per year | 3rd | high | China 2024e: 340 thousand metric tons boric oxide equivalent (340,000 tonnes), up from 300 thousand metric tons in 2023.… |
| Hf hafnium |
6.7% | 962 tonnes per year | 4th | low | Derived from China's 2024e zircon output of 100,000 t gross weight. byproduct of Zr |
| Zr zirconium |
6.7% | 100,000 tonnes per year | 4th | high | China 2024e: 100,000 tonnes gross weight (100 kt), same as 2023. China is the world's leading importer of zirconium mine… |
| C carbon |
6.0% | 248,400 million m3 per year | 11th | high | China is now the world's fourth-largest gas producer. |
| C carbon |
4.7% | 213 million tonnes per year | 15th | high | |
| Mn manganese |
3.9% | 770,000 tonnes per year | 6th | high | USGS MCS 2025: China 770 thousand metric tons 2024e. |
| Ta tantalum |
3.6% | 76.0 tonnes per year | 5th | high | USGS MCS 2025 table: China mine production estimated at 76 t Ta in 2024e; reported reserves 240,000 t. |
| Ni nickel |
3.0% | 120,000 tonnes per year | 5th | high | |
| U uranium |
2.9% | 1,600 tonnes per year | 7th | high | China 2023: 1,600 tU (NEA/IAEA secretariat estimate). China's domestic production substantially undercovers its growing … |
| He helium |
2.0% | 3.0 million m3 per year | 6th | low |
| Element | Share % | Quantity | Global rank | Confidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lu lutetium |
95.0% | — | 1st | high | China controls approximately 95% or more of global Lu₂O₃ separation and refining capacity; for the heaviest lanthanides … |
| Tb terbium |
93.0% | — | 1st | high | China controls approximately 90–95% of global REE separation and refining capacity; for heavy REEs like Tb, China's domi… |
| Y yttrium |
93.0% | — | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025 Yttrium chapter reports US import sources 2020–23: China 93%, Germany 3%, other 4%. The chapter notes "Nea… |
| Ho holmium |
92.0% | — | 1st | high | China controls approximately 90–92% of global REE separation and refining capacity. Ho₂O₃ separation is concentrated in … |
| Dy dysprosium |
92.0% | — | 1st | high | China controls approximately 90–92% of global REE separation and refining capacity. Dy₂O₃ separation and DyFe alloy prod… |
| La lanthanum |
91.0% | — | 1st | high | China controls approximately 91% of global REE separation and processing capacity. Nearly all rare earths mined outside … |
| Nd neodymium |
91.0% | — | 1st | high | China controls ~91% of global REE separation and 94% of sintered NdFeB magnet manufacturing |
| Eu europium |
90.0% | — | 1st | high | China controls approximately 90% of global REE separation and refining capacity. High-purity Eu₂O₃ (≥99.99%) production … |
| Pr praseodymium |
90.0% | — | 1st | high | China controls approximately 90% of global REE separation and refining capacity, including Pr₆O₁₁ oxide production and N… |
| Gd gadolinium |
90.0% | — | 1st | high | China controls approximately 90% of global REE separation and refining capacity, including Gd2O3 production and Gd metal… |
| Er erbium |
90.0% | — | 1st | high | China controls approximately 90% of global REE separation and refining capacity; for heavy REEs like Er, China's dominan… |
| Tm thulium |
90.0% | — | 1st | high | China controls approximately 90% of global REE separation and refining capacity, including Tm2O3 production and Tm metal… |
| Sm samarium |
90.0% | — | 1st | high | China controls approximately 90% of global REE separation and refining capacity, including Sm₂O₃ oxide production and Sm… |
| Yb ytterbium |
90.0% | — | 1st | high | China controls approximately 90% of global REE separation and refining capacity; for heavy REEs like Yb, China's dominan… |
| Ge germanium |
85.7% | 180 tonnes per year | 1st | high | Share derived from USGS OFR 2024-1057 table 1.14 by dividing the country estimate (180 t) by the reported 210 t world to… byproduct of Zn |
| Sc scandium |
85.0% | — | 1st | high | China dominates Sc₂O₃ refining and high-purity purification. High-purity Sc₂O₃ (≥99.9%) for Al-Sc master alloy productio… byproduct of Ni, Ti |
| Bi bismuth |
81.2% | 13,000 tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS 2024e refinery production for China: 13,000 metric tons. byproduct of Pb, Zn |
| Te tellurium |
76.5% | 750 tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025 table: China 2024 estimated refinery production 750 metric tons. The chapter text adds that China accounte… byproduct of Cu |
| In indium |
70.0% | 760 tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025 chapter text: "China is the leading global producer of Indium, accounting for 70% of the world total." Abs… byproduct of Zn |
| Ce cerium |
70.0% | — | 1st | medium | USGS MCS 2025 import sources (2020–23): China supplied 70% of US rare-earth compound and metal imports. Used as a proxy … |
| Ti titanium |
68.8% | 220,000 tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS 2024e: 220,000 t sponge. China capacity 260,000 t/yr. Dominant global sponge producer. |
| Co cobalt |
60.0% | — | 1st | low | USGS MCS 2025 chapter text: "China was the world's leading producer of refined cobalt and increased metal refining capac… byproduct of Cu, Ni |
| Al aluminum |
59.7% | 43.0 million tonnes per year | 1st | high | China. USGS 2024e: 43,000 kt smelter output; yearend capacity 44,700 kt. |
| Al aluminum |
59.2% | 84.0 million tonnes per year | 2nd | high | China. USGS 2024e: 84,000 thousand metric dry tons. |
| Ti titanium |
56.1% | 5,500,000 tonnes per year | 2nd | high | |
| O oxygen |
55.0% | 58.6 million tonnes per year | 1st | low | Largest oxygen-consuming steel geography because China remains by far the largest crude-steel producer and still relies … |
| Fe iron |
53.5% | 1,006 million tonnes per year | 1st | high | China dominates global crude steel production at ~53.5%. The China Iron and Steel Association called for production cuts… |
| Se selenium |
49.0% | 1,800 tonnes per year | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025 p.159: "China … 1,800" metric tons 2024e. Chapter text (p.158): "China was the leading producer of refined… byproduct of Cu, Pb, Zn |
| Cl chlorine |
46.7% | 35.0 million tonnes per year | 1st | high | Production estimate inferred from caustic soda consumption statistics and capacity data; no authoritative per-country ch… |
| Cu copper |
44.4% | 12.0 million tonnes per year | 1st | high | |
| Cd cadmium |
38.8% | 9,300 tonnes per year | 1st | high | China 2024e: 9,300 metric tons — the world's largest cadmium refiner by a wide margin. byproduct of Zn |
| Hf hafnium |
35.0% | — | 1st | low | China is named by USGS MCS 2025 as one of the leading global exporters of unwrought hafnium in 2024. USGS import source … byproduct of Zr |
| H hydrogen |
33.0% | 33.0 million tonnes per year | 1st | medium | Demand-based production proxy. China also accounts for about 90% of global coal consumption for hydrogen production in t… |
| Ar argon |
22.0% | 1,100 million m3 per year | 1st | low | China's argon supply is tied to the world's largest installed base of ASU capacity serving steel, petrochemical, and che… |
| Ga gallium |
20.0% | — | 1st | low | byproduct of Al, Zn |
| Element | Share % | Quantity | Global rank | Confidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sr strontium |
62.8% | 12,000,000 tonnes | 1st | high | China reserves: 12,000,000 tons gross weight celestite (USGS MCS 2025 table). |
| Ta tantalum |
61.5% | 240,000 tonnes | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025 table: China reported tantalum reserves of 240,000 t. |
| W tungsten |
52.2% | 2,400,000 tonnes | 1st | high | USGS reserve table: China 2,400,000 t W content; largest global reserve base. |
| Sc scandium |
50.0% | 50,000 tonnes | 1st | high | China holds the world's largest Sc₂O₃ reserves, estimated at ~50,000 t. These are primarily associated with the Panzhihu… byproduct of Ni, Ti |
| Er erbium |
48.9% | 220,000 tonnes | 1st | high | China REO reserves: 44,000,000 t (48.9% of >90,000,000 t world total). Estimated Er₂O₃ reserves: ~220,000 t (44,000,000 … |
| Sm samarium |
48.9% | 1,232,000 tonnes | 1st | high | China REO reserves: 44,000,000 t (48.9% of world >90,000,000 t). Estimated Sm reserves: ~1,232,000 t (44,000,000 × 2.8%)… |
| Dy dysprosium |
48.9% | 880,000 tonnes | 1st | high | China REO reserves: 44,000,000 t (48.9% of >90,000,000 t world total). Estimated Dy₂O₃ reserves: ~880,000 t (44,000,000 … |
| Gd gadolinium |
48.9% | — | 1st | high | China REO reserves: 44,000,000 t (48.9% of the >90 Mt floor). Derived Gd2O3: ~440,000 t. Bayan Obo (Inner Mongolia) hold… |
| Pr praseodymium |
48.9% | 1,980,000 tonnes | 1st | high | China REO reserves: 44,000,000 t (48.9% of world >90,000,000 t). Estimated Pr reserves: ~1,980,000 t (44,000,000 × 4.5%)… |
| La lanthanum |
48.9% | — | 1st | high | China: 44,000,000 t REO per USGS MCS 2025, 48.9% of the >90 Mt floor. Derived La2O3: ~12,760,000 t. Dominant reserves at… |
| Yb ytterbium |
48.9% | 220,000 tonnes | 1st | high | China REO reserves: 44,000,000 t (48.9% of >90,000,000 t world total). Estimated Yb₂O₃ reserves: ~220,000 t (44,000,000 … |
| Y yttrium |
48.9% | 1,980,000 tonnes | 1st | high | China REO reserves: 44,000,000 t (48.9% of world total). Derived Y₂O₃ floor: ~1,980,000 t at 4.5% implied basket share. … |
| Ho holmium |
48.9% | 66,000 tonnes | 1st | high | China REO reserves: 44,000,000 t (48.9% of >90,000,000 t world total). Estimated Ho₂O₃ reserves: ~66,000 t (44,000,000 ×… |
| Eu europium |
48.9% | 44,000 tonnes | 1st | high | China REO reserves: 44,000,000 t (48.9% of >90,000,000 t world total). Estimated Eu₂O₃ reserves: ~44,000 t (44,000,000 ×… |
| Tb terbium |
48.9% | 44,000 tonnes | 1st | high | China REO reserves: 44,000,000 t (48.9% of >90,000,000 t world total). Estimated Tb₄O₇ reserves: ~44,000 t (44,000,000 ×… |
| Lu lutetium |
48.9% | 22,000 tonnes | 1st | high | China REO reserves: 44,000,000 t (48.9% of >90,000,000 t world total). Estimated Lu₂O₃ reserves: ~22,000 t (44,000,000 ×… |
| Tm thulium |
48.9% | 30,800 tonnes | 1st | high | China REO reserves: 44,000,000 t (48.9% of the >90 Mt floor). Derived Tm2O3: ~30,800 t (44,000,000 × 0.07%). Bayan Obo h… |
| Ce cerium |
48.4% | 44,000,000 tonnes | 1st | high | |
| Mo molybdenum |
39.3% | 5,900,000 tonnes | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025 table: China 5,900 thousand metric tons. Largest national reserve. Revised based on company and Government… |
| Sb antimony |
29.7% | 670,000 tonnes | 1st | high | China reserves: 670,000 metric tons; revised based on Government reports. |
| Ba barium |
28.1% | 110,000,000 tonnes | 1st | high | China reserves: 110,000 thousand metric tons. Revised based on company and Government reports. |
| Sn tin |
23.8% | 1,000,000 tonnes | 1st | high | USGS MCS 2025 table: China 1,000,000 metric tons. Reserves revised based on company and Government reports. |
| Pb lead |
22.9% | 22,000,000 tonnes | 2nd | high | USGS MCS 2025: China 22,000 kt lead content. Revised in 2025 based on a Government report. China holds the second-larges… |
| Zn zinc |
20.0% | 46,000,000 tonnes | 2nd | high | China: 46,000,000 tonnes. Revised 2024. |
| Ti titanium |
18.9% | 110,000,000 tonnes | 2nd | high | China ilmenite reserves: 110,000 kt TiO2 content. Rutile reserve data not separately reported. |
| Mn manganese |
16.5% | 280,000,000 tonnes | 3rd | high | USGS MCS 2025: China 280,000 thousand metric tons. |
| Ag silver |
10.9% | 70,000 tonnes | 4th | high | China reserves revised 2024 based on government reports. byproduct of Au, Cu, Pb, Zn |
| Fe iron |
10.0% | 20,000,000,000,000 tonnes | 4th | high | USGS MCS 2025: China 20,000 million metric tons crude ore. |
| Te tellurium |
8.8% | 3,100 tonnes | 3rd | high | USGS MCS 2025 table: China reported tellurium reserves 3,100 metric tons. byproduct of Cu |
| Se selenium |
5.0% | 5,000 tonnes | 5th | high | USGS MCS 2025 p.159: "China … 5,000" metric tons. USGS notes: China reserves "represent reported reserves of selenium" r… byproduct of Cu, Pb, Zn |
| P phosphorus |
5.0% | 3,700,000,000 tonnes | 2nd | high | China: 3,700,000 thousand metric tons = 3.7 billion metric tons. Revised per USGS based on company and Government report… |
| Au gold |
4.8% | 3,100 tonnes | 6th | high | China: 3,100 t. Revised 2024. |
| U uranium |
4.6% | 270,500 tonnes | 8th | high | China 270,500 tU at <USD 130/kgU; 291,300 tU at <USD 260/kgU. Includes 73,200 tU in the lowest-cost category (<USD 40/kg… |
| Cu copper |
4.2% | 41,000,000 tonnes | 8th | high | |
| K potassium |
3.7% | 180,000,000 tonnes | 6th | high | China — USGS: 180,000 thousand metric tons K2O equivalent. |
| Ni nickel |
3.0% | 4,400,000 tonnes | 7th | high | Revised by USGS based on company and Government reports. |
| Al aluminum |
2.3% | 680,000,000 tonnes | 7th | high | |
| Br bromine |
1.1% | 130,000 tonnes | 3rd | high | China 130,000 metric tons bromine content reserves. |
| B boron |
0.8% | 9,100,000 tonnes | 5th | high | China reserves: 9,100 thousand metric tons B₂O₃ (USGS MCS 2025). Data revised based on Government reports. Low-grade res… |
| Re rhenium |
0.8% | 19,000 kg | 6th | high | USGS MCS 2025 table: China reserves 19,000 kilograms. byproduct of Cu, Mo |
| Zr zirconium |
0.1% | 72,000 tonnes | 8th | high | China: 72,000 tonnes ZrO2 content. |