the top countries by rare earth element (REE) reserves
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Writer AndyKim
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Date 25-02-26 10:24
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Below is a detailed overview of the top countries by rare earth element (REE) reserves. Note that “reserves” here are expressed as metric tons of rare‐earth oxide (REO) equivalent and different sources may use slightly varying figures. Based on a popular visualization (from Visual Capitalist) and USGS data, here’s a summary:
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### What Are Rare Earth Elements?
Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 metals—including the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium—that are vital for modern electronics, renewable energy technologies, defense systems, and more. Although they are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust, economically mineable concentrations are limited and usually dispersed among other minerals. This makes securing concentrated deposits strategically important.
---
### Top 11 Countries by Reported Rare Earth Reserves
According to one widely cited visualization, the top countries (with reserve estimates in metric tons of REO) are:
1. **China – 44,000,000 tons**
China leads by a wide margin and also dominates global production. Its extensive reserves have underpinned decades of supply for high-tech applications.
2. **Vietnam – 22,000,000 tons**
Vietnam holds the second-largest reserve. Despite its enormous potential, current mine production remains modest compared to China.
3. **Brazil – 21,000,000 tons**
Brazil’s vast ionic clay deposits position it as a major reserve holder, even though it currently produces only small quantities.
4. **Russia – 12,000,000 tons**
Russia’s reserves have been reported at around 12 million tons. Ongoing political and economic challenges, however, complicate its role in the global market.
5. **India – 6,900,000 tons**
With significant deposits in beach and mineral sands, India is working to expand both production and refining capabilities.
6. **Australia – 4,100,000 tons**
Australia’s known reserves are substantial, and several projects are underway to increase its share of global production.
7. **United States – 1,500,000 tons**
Although the U.S. produces a good quantity of rare earths (mainly at the Mountain Pass mine in California), its domestic reserve estimate is relatively modest, leaving it largely dependent on imports for refined products.
8. **Greenland – 1,500,000 tons**
Greenland is emerging as a potential future supplier with two large projects, even though it currently does not produce rare earths.
9. **Tanzania – 890,000 tons**
Tanzania appears in the ranking with nearly 0.9 million tons, although data here are less detailed.
10. **Canada – 830,000 tons**
Canada is known to have significant resources, and while its reported reserves are lower than those of the major players, its untapped deposits offer future potential.
11. **South Africa – 790,000 tons**
South Africa also holds modest but economically important rare earth deposits.
*(These figures represent the best‐available estimates from one influential source; percentages of the world’s total reserves follow a similar descending order.)*
---
### Extending the List: Top 20 Countries
While the above 11 countries have clear and widely reported reserve figures, other nations are also known to host rare earth deposits—even if in much smaller quantities or with less-developed data. These additional countries include:
12. **Myanmar (Burma)** – Reserve data are not consistently reported, but the country is known as a significant producer in the region.
13. **Madagascar** – Identified deposits exist, though specific reserve figures remain uncertain.
14. **Thailand** – Some estimates (e.g., from USGS reports) provide reserve figures in the low thousands of tons, making it a minor player.
15. **Burundi** – Similar to Thailand, available data suggest modest reserves.
16–20. **Other Nations** – A variety of countries (often grouped under “Other Countries” in summary tables) collectively contribute roughly 310,000 tons. These might include nations in regions such as parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, and even some European countries where exploration is ongoing.
For these countries, detailed quantitative data are either not publicly reported or are much lower than those of the major players. However, they remain important for diversifying global supply—especially as many nations look to reduce dependence on any single supplier (notably China).
---
### Key Takeaways
- **China’s Dominance:** With nearly 44 million tons in reserves, China not only leads in reported reserves but also in actual production and refining capabilities.
- **Emerging Players:** Vietnam, Brazil, and Russia show that significant reserves exist outside of China, although production levels vary.
- **Diversification Efforts:** Countries like Australia, India, and even the United States and Greenland are working to expand their production and reduce global reliance on Chinese refining.
- **Smaller Deposits:** Beyond the top 11, several nations have smaller yet strategically valuable reserves that are important for creating a diversified and secure global supply chain.
---
### References
citeturn0search5 (Visual Capitalist – Rare Earth Elements: Where in the World Are They?)
citeturn0search4 (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024)
This summary provides an overview based on available data and is subject to revision as new exploration results and updated assessments become available.
---
### What Are Rare Earth Elements?
Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 metals—including the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium—that are vital for modern electronics, renewable energy technologies, defense systems, and more. Although they are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust, economically mineable concentrations are limited and usually dispersed among other minerals. This makes securing concentrated deposits strategically important.
---
### Top 11 Countries by Reported Rare Earth Reserves
According to one widely cited visualization, the top countries (with reserve estimates in metric tons of REO) are:
1. **China – 44,000,000 tons**
China leads by a wide margin and also dominates global production. Its extensive reserves have underpinned decades of supply for high-tech applications.
2. **Vietnam – 22,000,000 tons**
Vietnam holds the second-largest reserve. Despite its enormous potential, current mine production remains modest compared to China.
3. **Brazil – 21,000,000 tons**
Brazil’s vast ionic clay deposits position it as a major reserve holder, even though it currently produces only small quantities.
4. **Russia – 12,000,000 tons**
Russia’s reserves have been reported at around 12 million tons. Ongoing political and economic challenges, however, complicate its role in the global market.
5. **India – 6,900,000 tons**
With significant deposits in beach and mineral sands, India is working to expand both production and refining capabilities.
6. **Australia – 4,100,000 tons**
Australia’s known reserves are substantial, and several projects are underway to increase its share of global production.
7. **United States – 1,500,000 tons**
Although the U.S. produces a good quantity of rare earths (mainly at the Mountain Pass mine in California), its domestic reserve estimate is relatively modest, leaving it largely dependent on imports for refined products.
8. **Greenland – 1,500,000 tons**
Greenland is emerging as a potential future supplier with two large projects, even though it currently does not produce rare earths.
9. **Tanzania – 890,000 tons**
Tanzania appears in the ranking with nearly 0.9 million tons, although data here are less detailed.
10. **Canada – 830,000 tons**
Canada is known to have significant resources, and while its reported reserves are lower than those of the major players, its untapped deposits offer future potential.
11. **South Africa – 790,000 tons**
South Africa also holds modest but economically important rare earth deposits.
*(These figures represent the best‐available estimates from one influential source; percentages of the world’s total reserves follow a similar descending order.)*
---
### Extending the List: Top 20 Countries
While the above 11 countries have clear and widely reported reserve figures, other nations are also known to host rare earth deposits—even if in much smaller quantities or with less-developed data. These additional countries include:
12. **Myanmar (Burma)** – Reserve data are not consistently reported, but the country is known as a significant producer in the region.
13. **Madagascar** – Identified deposits exist, though specific reserve figures remain uncertain.
14. **Thailand** – Some estimates (e.g., from USGS reports) provide reserve figures in the low thousands of tons, making it a minor player.
15. **Burundi** – Similar to Thailand, available data suggest modest reserves.
16–20. **Other Nations** – A variety of countries (often grouped under “Other Countries” in summary tables) collectively contribute roughly 310,000 tons. These might include nations in regions such as parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, and even some European countries where exploration is ongoing.
For these countries, detailed quantitative data are either not publicly reported or are much lower than those of the major players. However, they remain important for diversifying global supply—especially as many nations look to reduce dependence on any single supplier (notably China).
---
### Key Takeaways
- **China’s Dominance:** With nearly 44 million tons in reserves, China not only leads in reported reserves but also in actual production and refining capabilities.
- **Emerging Players:** Vietnam, Brazil, and Russia show that significant reserves exist outside of China, although production levels vary.
- **Diversification Efforts:** Countries like Australia, India, and even the United States and Greenland are working to expand their production and reduce global reliance on Chinese refining.
- **Smaller Deposits:** Beyond the top 11, several nations have smaller yet strategically valuable reserves that are important for creating a diversified and secure global supply chain.
---
### References
citeturn0search5 (Visual Capitalist – Rare Earth Elements: Where in the World Are They?)
citeturn0search4 (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024)
This summary provides an overview based on available data and is subject to revision as new exploration results and updated assessments become available.