How Much Control China Has Over the World’s Critical Minerals
Description
How Much Control China Has Over the World’s Critical Minerals
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Key Takeaways
- China is the biggest producer for the majority of the materials listed.
- Other key players include Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa, each dominating select strategic materials.
China sits at the center of today’s global mineral supply chains. From electric vehicles to semiconductors, many of the technologies driving modern industry depend on critical minerals that are mined, refined, or controlled by China.
This visualization highlights just how concentrated global mineral production has become. The data for this graphic comes from White & Case LLP. It charts the top global producers for 27 key critical minerals, as of December 2024.
China’s Commanding Share
China dominates the production of at least 15 critical minerals or mineral groups listed, including gallium (98.7%), magnesium (95%), tungsten (82.7%), and rare earths (69.2%). These materials are vital for clean energy, defense, and electronics.
In addition to being the leading producer, the country also controls much of the refining capacity for many of these minerals. For example, around 90% of rare earths are refined in China.
This monopoly has become a major concern for other nations, with the Trump administration currently pushing for increased domestic production of these materials.
| Mineral | Major Producer | Global Production (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Gallium |  China | 98.7% |
| Magnesium | China | 95.0% |
| Niobium |  Brazil | 90.9% |
| Tungsten | China | 82.7% |
| Bismuth | China | 81.3% |
| Graphite | China | 79.4% |
| Silicon | China | 76.3% |
| Cobalt |  DR Congo | 75.9% |
| Platinum |  South Africa | 70.6% |
| Indium | China | 70.4% |
| Vanadium | China | 70.0% |
| Rare Earths | China | 69.2% |
| Fluorspar | China | 68.4% |
| Antimony | China | 60.0% |
| Aluminum | China | 59.7% |
| Nickel |  Indonesia | 59.5% |
| Beryllium |  U.S. | 50.0% |
| Arsenic |  Peru | 46.6% |
| Tellurium | China | 46.5% |
| Chromium | South Africa | 44.7% |
| Tantalum | DR Congo | 41.9% |
| Palladium |  Russia | 39.5% |
| Manganese | South Africa | 37.0% |
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