The outlook for uncommon earths is supported by robust provide and demand fundamentals because the world heads into a brand new financial period with a concentrate on clear power and technological developments.
However with provide chain worries rising, it’s price taking a look at which nations have the very best uncommon earths reserves. Most of the world’s main uncommon earths producers have giant reserves, however some nations with excessive reserves have low output.
Working example — mines in Brazil produced solely 20 metric tons (MT) of uncommon earth components in 2024, however Brazil’s uncommon earths reserves are the second highest on this planet. International locations like this might change into larger gamers within the house sooner or later.
Prime uncommon earth reserves by nation
Right here’s an summary of uncommon earths reserves by nation, with a concentrate on the eight nations whose reserves are over 1 million metric tons. Information is taken from the US Geological Survey’s newest report on uncommon earth components. Reserves are measured in metric tons of uncommon earth oxide equal.
Reserves data is unavailable for just a few uncommon earths producers, together with Myanmar, which took the second spot for uncommon earths manufacturing final 12 months.
1. China
Uncommon earths reserves: 44 million metric tons
Unsurprisingly, China has the very best reserves of uncommon earths at 44 million metric tons. The nation was additionally the world’s main uncommon earths producer in 2024 by a protracted shot, producing 270,000 MT.
Regardless of already holding the highest place, China stays centered on making certain that its uncommon earths reserves stay elevated. Again in 2012, the Asian nation declared that its reserves of those supplies had been declining; it then introduced in 2016 that it could increase home reserves by establishing each industrial and nationwide stockpiles.
The nation has additionally been reining in illicit uncommon earths mining for numerous years, shutting unlawful or environmentally non-compliant uncommon earths mines and limiting manufacturing and exports. These manufacturing limits have been easing, and in the previous couple of years the nation has raised mining quotas a number of occasions.
China’s dominance in each uncommon earth components manufacturing and reserves has prompted issues previously. Uncommon earths costs surged when the nation minimize exports in 2010, leading to an ongoing rush to safe provide elsewhere.
China and the US have been in a commerce battle over uncommon earths as every nation battles over who will dominate the worldwide electrical automobile and tech sectors. Taking intention on the US, China banned the export of expertise to make uncommon earth magnets in December 2023.
In recent times, China has begun importing extra heavy uncommon earths from Myanmar, for which the US Geological Survey doesn’t have uncommon earths reserves information. Whereas China has stricter environmental laws, the identical can’t be stated for Myanmar, and the mountains alongside its border with China have been closely broken by uncommon earths mining.
2. Brazil
Uncommon earths reserves: 21 million metric tons
Brazil holds the world’s second largest uncommon earths reserves at 21 million metric tons.
Whereas the nation was not a significant producer of uncommon earths in 2024, that can quickly be altering. Uncommon earths firm Serra Verde started Part 1 industrial manufacturing from its Pela Ema uncommon earths deposit in Goiás state on the high of 2024. By 2026, the miner expects to provide 5,000 MT of rare-earth oxide yearly.
Pela Ema, one of many world’s largest ionic clay deposits, will produce the 4 crucial magnet uncommon earth components: neodymium, praseodymium, terbium and dysprosium. In response to the corporate, it’s the solely uncommon earths operation exterior of China to provide all 4 of these magnet uncommon earths.
3. India
Uncommon earths reserves: 6.9 million metric tons
India’s uncommon earths reserves sit at 6.9 million metric tons, and it produced 2,900 MT of uncommon earths in 2024, which is on par with the previous couple of years. India has almost 35 p.c of the world’s seashore and sand mineral deposits, that are vital sources of uncommon earths. The nation’s Division of Atomic Power launched a press release in December 2022 breaking down its uncommon earths manufacturing and refining capability.
In late 2023, the Indian authorities was reported to be placing insurance policies and laws in place to ascertain and assist uncommon earths analysis and improvement initiatives to benefit from its reserve base. In October 2024, Trafalgar, an Indian engineering and procurement agency, introduced plans to construct the nation’s first uncommon earth metals, alloy and magnet plant.
4. Australia
Uncommon earths reserves: 5.7 million metric tons*
Australia holds the fourth largest uncommon earths reserves on this planet at 5.7 million metric tons. The nation was additionally tied for fourth largest uncommon earths-mining nation at 13,000 MT in manufacturing. Uncommon earths have solely been mined in Australia since 2007, however extraction is predicted to extend shifting ahead.
Lynas Uncommon Earths (ASX:LYC,OTC Pink:LYSCF) operates the Mount Weld mine and focus plant within the nation in addition to a uncommon earths refining and processing facility in Malaysia. The corporate is taken into account the world’s largest non-Chinese language uncommon earths provider. An growth of the Mt Weld plant is slated for completion in 2025, based on Mining Database On-line (MDO). MDO additionally reviews that the corporate’s new uncommon earths processing facility in Kalgoorlie commenced manufacturing in mid-2024, producing a combined uncommon earth carbonate feed for Lynas’ Malaysia plant.
Hastings Know-how Metals’ (ASX:HAS,OTC Pink:HSRMF) Yangibana uncommon earths mine is shovel prepared, and the corporate just lately signed an offtake settlement with Baotou Sky Rock for focus produced on the mine. Hastings expects the operation to provide as much as 37,000 MT of uncommon earths focus yearly and ship first focus in This fall 2026.
*As per the USGS, “Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant or equal reserves had been 3.3 million tons”
5. Russia
Uncommon earths reserves: 3.8 million metric tons
In 2024, Russia’s uncommon earth reserves whole 3.8 million metric tons. The nation’s reserves had been lowered considerably from 10 million MT the prior 12 months primarily based on information from firm and authorities reviews. Russia produced 2,500 MT of uncommon earths in 2024, on par with the earlier 12 months.
The Russian authorities shared plans in 2020 to make investments US$1.5 billion with the intention to compete with China within the uncommon earths market.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted some concern over attainable disruptions to the uncommon earths provide chain within the US and Europe, and there are indicators the federal government has needed to put its home uncommon earths sector improvement plans on ice whereas it is mired in battle.
6. Vietnam
Uncommon earths reserves: 3.5 million metric tons
Vietnam’s uncommon earths reserves stand at 3.5 million MT. It reportedly hosts a number of deposits with uncommon earths concentrations towards its northwestern border with China, and alongside its jap shoreline.
For 2024, the USGS has revised down Vietnam’s uncommon earths reserves from a whopping 22 million MT within the earlier 12 months primarily based on firm and authorities reviews.
Vietnam’s uncommon earths manufacturing in 2024 was simply 300 MT. In 2023, the nation had acknowledged a objective to provide 2.02 million MT of uncommon earths by 2030. Nonetheless, the arrests of six uncommon earths executives, together with the chairman of Vietnam Uncommon Earth (VTRE), in October 2023 could have put a kink in these plans. “VTRE’s chairman, Luu Anh Tuan, was accused of forging value-added-tax receipts in buying and selling uncommon earths,” reported Asia Monetary.
7. United States
Uncommon earths reserves: 1.9 million metric tons
Whereas the nation holds second place for uncommon earths manufacturing in 2024 at 45,000 metric tons, the US takes solely the seventh high spot in relation to international uncommon earths reserves at 1.9 million metric tons.
Uncommon earths mining within the US now occurs solely at California’s Mountain Move mine, owned by MP Supplies (NYSE:MP). MDO reviews that MP Supplies “is establishing downstream (Stage III) capabilities at its Fort Price Facility to transform a portion of the REO produced at Mountain Move into uncommon earth magnets and its precursor merchandise.”
Over the previous few years, the US authorities has made a number of strikes towards strengthening the nation’s uncommon earths trade. In April 2024, underneath the Biden Administration, the US Division of Power earmarked US$17.5 million for 4 uncommon earths and significant minerals and supplies processing applied sciences that will produce uncommon earths from secondary coal and coal by-products as feedstocks.
8. Greenland
Uncommon earths reserves: 1.5 million metric tons
Greenland’s uncommon earths reserves whole 1.5 million metric tons, however the island nation presently does not produce the metals. Nonetheless, it does have two vital uncommon earths initiatives with giant reserves, the Tanbreez mission and the Kvanefjeld mission.
In July 2024, Essential Metals (NASDAQ:CRML) accomplished Stage 1 in its acquisition of a controlling-stake within the Tanbreez mission from non-public firm Tanbreez Mining. The corporate commenced drilling on the mission in September to raised perceive the useful resource mannequin and the projected mine lifetime of the deposit.
In the meantime, Power Transition Minerals (ASX:ETM,OTC Pink:GDLNF) has had some challenges with the Greenland authorities over allowing. Its license for Kvanefjeld was revoked by Greenland’s present authorities because of the firm’s plans to take advantage of uranium. The corporate submitted an amended plan that didn’t embrace uranium, however the up to date model was rejected as properly in September 2023. MDO reviews that as of October 2024, the corporate continues to be awaiting a courtroom resolution on its enchantment.
With US President Donald Trump again within the White Home, Greenland (an autonomous area within the Kingdom of Denmark) and its uncommon earths reserves are on his radar. Nonetheless, Greenland’s Prime Minister and the King of Denmark have made it clear that the Greenland shouldn’t be on the market.
FAQs for uncommon earths reserves
What are uncommon earth metals?
Uncommon earth metals are a basket of 17 naturally occurring components comprised of 15 components within the lanthanide sequence, plus yttrium and scandium. Apart from scandium, all uncommon earths will be divided into “heavy” and “mild” classes primarily based on their atomic weight. Heavy uncommon earths are typically extra wanted, however mild uncommon earth components can after all be essential too.
Is lithium a uncommon earth metallic?
Lithium shouldn’t be a uncommon earth metallic. It’s an alkali metallic in the identical group as sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium.
What’s the international whole for uncommon earths reserves?
World uncommon earths reserves quantity to 130 million metric tons. With demand for uncommon earth minerals ramping up as hype about electrical autos and different high-tech merchandise continues, will probably be fascinating to see how the highest producers contribute to future provide.
What’s the annual manufacturing of uncommon earths?
In response to the US Geological Survey, international uncommon earth minerals manufacturing in 2024 got here in at 390,000 metric tons, up from 376,000 MT the earlier 12 months. The manufacturing of uncommon earths has ramped up aggressively in recent times — solely a decade in the past, international manufacturing was simply above 100,000 MT, and it first broke 200,000 MT in 2019.
Who’s the most important producer of uncommon earth metals on this planet?
China has persistently been the most important producer of uncommon earths, and its 2024 manufacturing made up 270,000 metric tons of the world’s 390,000 MT. By way of particular uncommon earths mines, the highest producer is the Bayan Obo mine in Interior Mongolia, an autonomous area in Northern China. The mine is owned by the state-owned Baotou Iron and Metal Group.
Are there uncommon earth minerals in Europe?
There are presently no uncommon earths mines in Europe, however there are a number of nations with reserves, together with one with a major new discovery. In early 2023, Swedish state-owned firm LKAB introduced it had recognized the continent’s largest uncommon earths deposit, the Per Geijer deposit, with uncommon earths assets of over 1 million MT of oxides.
With the European Union focusing closely on constructing its personal provide chain with the European Essential Uncooked Supplies Act, the Per Geijer deposit may turn into an essential supply of uncommon earths for the area.
A number of different nations in Europe maintain vital uncommon earths reserves as properly. Greenland hosts many deposits totaling 1.5 million MT of uncommon earths reserves alongside its shoreline, with the bulk situated within the southwest of the nation. The Gardar igneous province within the south hosts the most important ones.
International locations within the Fennoscandian Protect — equivalent to Norway, Finland and, after all, Sweden — additionally host uncommon earth deposits, because the area has related mineralization to Greenland.
What are essentially the most technologically helpful uncommon earth metals?
Uncommon earth metals play a major function in varied applied sciences. They’re typically utilized in electronics equivalent to laptops and smartphones. Uncommon earth oxides equivalent to neodymium and praseodymium are utilized in magnets, plane engines and inexperienced applied sciences, together with wind generators and electrical autos. Samarium and dysprosium are additionally utilized in uncommon earth magnets. Phosphor uncommon earths equivalent to europium, terbium and yttrium are utilized in lighting, as are cerium, lanthanum and gadolinium.
How are uncommon earths mined?
Uncommon earth components are both mined from open pits, like many different metals and minerals, or they’re mined by way of in-situ leaching. The metals are present in hard-rock deposits, ionic clay deposits and mineral sands. Some minerals which are mined for uncommon earths are bastnäsite, monazite, loparite and xenotime.
The open-pit mining course of for uncommon earths is much like that of different minerals: exhausting rock is mined, ore is separated from tailings after which it’s refined. In in-situ leaching, which can be a typical methodology of mining uranium, miners pump a chemical answer into an orebody. The answer dissolves the focused supplies right into a brine that’s then pumped again out of the ore and into assortment swimming pools. Uncommon earths mining additionally has a ultimate step, which is the separation of the completely different uncommon earths from one another.
Why is it troublesome to mine uncommon earth metals?
Though uncommon earths aren’t as uncommon as you would possibly assume from the identify, discovering financial deposits could be very troublesome. That is much more so the case for the heavy uncommon earths, as orebodies containing them are much less plentiful versus mild uncommon earths.
One other street bump for uncommon earths is the separation course of. As a result of the uncommon earth components all have related chemical habits to one another, they’re very powerful to separate, making the method troublesome and costly. The commonest separation methodology is solvent extraction, however it’s prolonged and may take lots of to 1000’s of cycles to realize excessive purity ranges, based on the Science Historical past Institute.
Lastly, the environmental dangers related to uncommon earths mining imply much more care must be taken to reduce harm to the surroundings and to the folks close to the mine.
Is uncommon earths mining dangerous for the surroundings?
Uncommon earths mining will be very damaging to native environments, particularly in relation to unlawful and unregulated mines. A significant subject with mining uncommon earths is that the ore they’re extracted from additionally typically incorporates thorium and uranium, that are each radioactive. This implies the separation of uncommon earths from this ore have to be dealt with rigorously, because the waste produced can be radioactive as properly.
Sadly, it’s common for this radioactive waste to make its manner into groundwater and streams, which is extremely damaging to the surroundings and to close by communities that depend on this water. This may be seen within the mountains of Southern China and Northern Myanmar, each of which have been closely exploited for his or her uncommon earths.
A report from World Witness that investigates the results of uncommon earths mining in these areas reveals that mining in Myanmar has escalated in recent times after China started closing its personal mines and outsourcing to the neighboring nation. As of mid-2022, 2,700 unlawful assortment swimming pools from in-situ leaching within the mountains had been recognized, and so they lined an space the scale of Singapore. Those that lived within the area reported issue accessing secure consuming water and stated native wildlife and fish had been dying out.
Moreover, the in-situ leaching course of can harm the rocks which are being extracted. World Witness discovered that over 100 landslides have already taken place in China’s Ganzhou area because of this extraction, and the harm to Myanmar’s mountains is substantial as properly.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, maintain no direct funding curiosity in any firm talked about on this article.
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