The production and storage of critical minerals is increasingly seen as important to defence, clean energy, and high-tech manufacturing to both the U.S. and Canada. The minerals are considered critical because of their importance to their economies and national security.
The table below lists nations that produced some of the most important salient critical minerals (in metric tonnes) in 2024. The information is taken from the USGS Mineral Commodities Summaries 2025. Please note that the list is based on the U.S. criteria of critical minerals, which does somewhat differ from Canada’s criteria. In the table, I included 15 critical minerals that are commonly cited as strategic and often appear in supply chain risk assessments.
Leading Global Producers of Individual Critical Minerals: 2024
| Leading Source Country | Critical Mineral | Production in Leading Country (tonnes) | Per cent (%) of World Production |
| Rare Earths Elements (REEs) | China | 270,000 | 69 |
| Lithium | Australia | 88,000 | 37 |
| Cobalt | Congo | 220,000 | 76 |
| Nickel | Indonesia | 2,200,000 | 59 |
| Graphite (natural) | China | 1,270,000 | 79 |
| Manganese | South Africa | 7,400,000 | 37 |
| Platinum | South Africa | 120 | 71 |
| Gallium | China | 750 | 99 |
| Germanium | China | n/a | n/a |
| Tin | China | 69,000 | 23 |
| Antimony | China | 60,000 | 60 |
| Tungsten | China | 67,000 | 83 |
| Bismuth | China | 81 | 81 |
| Tellurium | China | 750 | 77 |
| Vanadium | China | 70,000 | 70 |
Source:
USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025 : “Estimated United States Salient Critical Minerals Statistics in 2024”
Key observations:
- China is a leading producer of critical minerals.
- Though U.S. and Canadian production of critical minerals are increasing, both nations are not leading producers.
- To analyze further, leading nations’ processing capacity of critical minerals needs to be examined.
Gold Proficiency
Disclaimer:
This summary is based on publicly available information from a government source. It is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Though it has been taken to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of the reliability of the information.
Forward-looking statements, projections and estimates are subject to risks as outlined in the original company disclosures. Readers should consult official texts for full context. Nothing in the articles constitute forecasting, investment or financial advice. Please seek guidance from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.