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Geotechnology · Critical minerals

Critical minerals: China's share and its controls

Seven critical minerals: China's share of world output (USGS) and its export controls, where they exist.

Critical mineral · On Canada's Critical Minerals List

Gallium

China's share of world primary (low-purity) production, 2025e99%

as stated by USGS (MCS 2026, Gallium: 'China accounted for 99% of worldwide primary low-purity gallium production'). The USGS table itself gives 100% (rounded totals). We show the share USGS states.

Primary (low-purity) production, kg (kilograms, gallium content)
Country20242025e
China839,000900,000
Russia6,0006,000
Japan3,0003,000
World total848,000900,000

USGS world total, rounded; 2025e = USGS estimate.

Refining and processing

“China accounted for 99% of worldwide primary low-purity gallium production.”

Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Gallium; primary low-purity production; USGS gives no country split for refined high-purity gallium. Confidence: high

China's control: Export licensing in force (MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 23 of 2023, since 1 Aug 2023). US export ban suspended until 27 Nov 2026 (MOFCOM Announcement No. 72 of 2025).

The in-principle ban on gallium exports to the United States (para. 2 of MOFCOM Announcement No. 46 of 2024): suspended by MOFCOM Announcement No. 72 of 2025 until 27 Nov 2026. Exports of gallium items need a licence under MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 23 of 2023, in force since 1 Aug 2023, with no end date. No announcement amending No. 72 of 2025 was on MOFCOM's policy page when this card was checked.

Checked 1 Nov 2026. Confidence: high

Figures: USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Gallium.

Critical mineral · On Canada's Critical Minerals List

Germanium

China's share of world refinery production, 2025enot published by USGS

USGS MCS 2026 publishes no world or country refinery production for germanium ('Global germanium refinery production and recycling data were limited'); China is named the leading producer.

Refining and processing

“Germanium was known to have been processed or recycled commercially in only a few countries, including the United States, Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, and Russia, with China being the leading producer of germanium.”

Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Germanium; refinery production; USGS publishes no percentage. Confidence: high

China's control: Export licensing in force (MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 23 of 2023, since 1 Aug 2023). US export ban suspended until 27 Nov 2026 (MOFCOM Announcement No. 72 of 2025).

The in-principle ban on germanium exports to the United States (para. 2 of MOFCOM Announcement No. 46 of 2024): suspended by MOFCOM Announcement No. 72 of 2025 until 27 Nov 2026. Exports of germanium items need a licence under MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 23 of 2023, in force since 1 Aug 2023, with no end date. No announcement amending No. 72 of 2025 was on MOFCOM's policy page when this card was checked. China's reported germanium-metal exports in Jan-Sep 2025 were 7,520 kg, against 18,787 kg a year earlier (USGS).

Checked 1 Nov 2026. Confidence: high

Figures: USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Germanium.

Critical mineral · On Canada's Critical Minerals List

Rare earths

China's share of world mine production, 2025e69.2%

Strature calculation: China ÷ USGS world total (rounded), MCS 2026 table.

Mine production, t REO (metric tons, rare-earth-oxide equivalent)
Country20242025e
China270,000270,000
United States45,50051,000
Australia29,00029,000
Burma27,00022,000
Thailand2,1004,800
World total380,000390,000

USGS world total, rounded; 2025e = USGS estimate.

Refining and processing

“China’s dominance is even greater in the separation and refining stages, representing about 91% of global production, with Malaysia a distant second.”

Source: IEA, 'With new export controls on critical minerals, supply concentration risks become reality', commentary, 23 Oct 2025; separation and refining. Confidence: high

China's control: Export licensing in force (MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 18 of 2025, since 4 Apr 2025). October 2025 controls suspended until 10 Nov 2026 (MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 70 of 2025).

The October 2025 controls (MOFCOM-GAC Nos. 55-58 and MOFCOM Nos. 61 and 62 of 2025): suspended by MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 70 of 2025 until 10 Nov 2026. Seven medium and heavy rare earths (samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, yttrium) and related items need an export licence under MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 18 of 2025, in force since 4 Apr 2025. The October 2025 controls cover superhard materials (No. 55), rare-earth production equipment and auxiliary materials (No. 56), five more medium and heavy rare earths: holmium, erbium, thulium, europium and ytterbium (No. 57), lithium-battery, cathode and artificial-graphite anode items (No. 58), foreign-made items containing Chinese-origin rare-earth items at 0.1% of value or more (No. 61) and rare-earth technologies (No. 62). In September 2026 MOFCOM said the two sides had agreed to extend the Kuala Lumpur arrangement, under which each had suspended some tariff and non-tariff measures to 10 Nov 2026, to 10 Jan 2027 and to keep discussing it. No announcement amending No. 70 of 2025 was on MOFCOM's policy page when this card was checked.

Checked 1 Nov 2026. Confidence: high

Figures: USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Rare earths.

Critical mineral · On Canada's Critical Minerals List

Graphite (natural)

China's share of world mine production, 2025e82%

as stated by USGS (MCS 2026, Graphite: China 'producing an estimated 82% of total world production'); the USGS table itself gives 1,400,000 of 1,800,000 t = 77.8%. We show the share USGS states.

Mine production, t (metric tons)
Country20242025e
China1,270,0001,400,000
Madagascar85,00080,000
Tanzania27,00075,000
Brazil58,00065,000
Mozambique39,00060,000
World total1,550,0001,800,000

USGS world total, rounded; 2025e = USGS estimate.

Canada: 8,000 t, 2025e (USGS).

Refining and processing

Projection, 2035: “In 2035, China is set to supply over 60% of refined lithium and cobalt, and around 80% of battery-grade graphite and rare earth elements.”

Source: IEA (2025), Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2025, Overview of outlook for key minerals; battery-grade graphite. Confidence: medium

China's control: Export licensing in force (MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 39 of 2023, since 1 Dec 2023). US end-user review suspended until 27 Nov 2026 (MOFCOM Announcement No. 72 of 2025). October 2025 anode controls suspended until 10 Nov 2026 (MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 70 of 2025).

The stricter end-user review of graphite exports to the United States (para. 2 of MOFCOM Announcement No. 46 of 2024): suspended by MOFCOM Announcement No. 72 of 2025 until 27 Nov 2026. The October 2025 controls on lithium-battery, cathode and artificial-graphite anode items (MOFCOM-GAC No. 58 of 2025): suspended by MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 70 of 2025 until 10 Nov 2026. High-purity, high-strength and spherical natural graphite items need an export licence under MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 39 of 2023, in force since 1 Dec 2023, with no end date. No announcement amending No. 70 or No. 72 of 2025 was on MOFCOM's policy page when this card was checked.

Checked 1 Nov 2026. Confidence: high

Figures: USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Graphite (natural).

Critical mineral · On Canada's Critical Minerals List

Tungsten

China's share of world mine production, 2025e78.8%

Strature calculation: China ÷ USGS world total (rounded), MCS 2026 table.

Mine production, t W (metric tons, tungsten content)
Country20242025e
China67,00067,000
Vietnam3,4003,000
Kazakhstan—2,400
Korea, North1,9002,000
Russia1,5002,000
World total82,00085,000

USGS world total, rounded; 2025e = USGS estimate.

Refining and processing

“China continued to be the world’s leading producer, importer, and consumer of tungsten concentrates.”

Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Tungsten; concentrates; USGS publishes no percentage. Confidence: high

China's control: Export licensing in force (MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 10 of 2025, since 4 Feb 2025). No end date.

Tungsten items (with tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum and indium items) need an export licence under MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 10 of 2025, in force since 4 Feb 2025, with no suspension or end date.

Checked 1 Nov 2026. Confidence: medium

Figures: USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Tungsten.

Critical mineral · On Canada's Critical Minerals List

Antimony

China's share of world mine production, 2025e36.4%

Strature calculation: China ÷ USGS world total (rounded), MCS 2026 table.

Mine production, t Sb (metric tons, antimony content)
Country20242025e
China40,00040,000
Russia40,00032,000
Tajikistan22,00022,000
Bolivia5,3005,000
Burma4,5004,500
United States—W
World total119,000110,000

USGS world total, rounded; 2025e = USGS estimate.

W = withheld by USGS to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; shown as given, not estimated.

Refining and processing

Strature reading: China supplied 66% of US antimony oxide imports in 2021-24, against 36% of 2025 world mine output, a sign that its processing share exceeds its mining share.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Antimony (import sources); processed oxide: a US import share, not a world refining share. Confidence: medium

China's control: Export licensing in force (MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 33 of 2024, since 15 Sep 2024). US export ban suspended until 27 Nov 2026 (MOFCOM Announcement No. 72 of 2025).

The in-principle ban on antimony exports to the United States (para. 2 of MOFCOM Announcement No. 46 of 2024): suspended by MOFCOM Announcement No. 72 of 2025 until 27 Nov 2026. Antimony ores, metal, oxides and compounds need an export licence under MOFCOM-GAC Announcement No. 33 of 2024, in force since 15 Sep 2024, with no end date. No announcement amending No. 72 of 2025 was on MOFCOM's policy page when this card was checked.

Checked 1 Nov 2026. Confidence: high

Figures: USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Antimony.

Critical mineral · On Canada's Critical Minerals List

Silicon (silicon metal)

China's share of world silicon metal production, 2025e87%

Strature calculation: China ÷ USGS world total (rounded), MCS 2026 table; the world total excludes U.S. production (W).

Silicon metal production, kt (thousand metric tons, gross weight; world total excludes U.S. production)
Country20242025e
China4,8004,000
Brazil190180
Norway140130
France9068
Australia4747
United StatesWW
World total5,5004,600

USGS world total, rounded; 2025e = USGS estimate.

W = withheld by USGS to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; shown as given, not estimated.

Canada: 34 kt, 2025e (USGS).

Refining and processing

“China accounted for almost 80% of total global estimated production of silicon materials in 2025.”

Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Silicon; silicon materials, that is ferrosilicon and silicon metal; polysilicon not covered. Confidence: high

China's control: No export control found.

No Chinese export-control announcement on silicon metal was found on MOFCOM's policy releases.

Checked 1 Nov 2026. Confidence: medium

Figures: USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Silicon (silicon metal).

Sources

  • W withheld by USGS to avoid disclosing company proprietary data
  • — zero or none, as printed by USGS
  • 2025e 2025 figures are USGS estimates

Figures: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 Data Release, MCS2026_Commodities_Data.csv (public domain (CC0 on ScienceBase); credit USGS). Units are those USGS prints, never converted. China's share is either the share USGS states or our calculation of China over the USGS world total, as each card says.

Canada's list: Natural Resources Canada, Critical minerals: an opportunity for Canada (Canada's Critical Minerals List, 2024 update, 34 minerals), checked 1 Nov 2026.

Controls: the Ministry of Commerce of China (MOFCOM) announcements linked on each card, read 1 Nov 2026; each card says when it was last checked. Where a suspension's published end date has passed, the card says so and does not guess whether it was extended. The refining line is either the source's own words in quotation marks or a labelled Strature summary or reading; no IEA data is used on this page.