Top Rare Earths Reserves by Country - 2017

Rare Earth Deposits & Mining / Rare Earth Exploration, Mining, Processing, & Uses

Date posted: 03/29/17

Jocelyn Aspa reports that the rare-earth industry has seen better times. Prices have struggled as result of oversupply, and many experts believe that 2017 will be another slow year for the space. Even so, it is worth reviewing which countries have the highest rare-earth reserves. While in many cases the world major rare-earth producers hold large reserves, some countries have low rare-earth production and high reserves. The U.S. did not produce rare earths in 2016, but its reserves are the seventh-highest in the world. It is possible that the U.S. and others could become bigger players in the industry in the future. Below is an overview of rare earths reserves by country, with a focus on the 7 countries whose reserves are over 1 million MT. Rare earths by country data are taken from the U.S. Geological Survey most recent report. 1. China Reserves ... 44 million MT China has the highest rare earths reserves at 44 million MT. The country was also the biggest producer of rare earths in 2016, producing 105,000 MT, production quotas are set for 2017 at 52,500 tonnes. 2. Brazil Reserves.. 22 million MT. While Brazil was the fifth-largest producer of rare earths in 2016, putting out 1,100 MT, it holds the second-largest reserves in the world at 22 million MT. An $8.4-billion rare earths deposit was discovered in 2012 in Brazil. 3. Russia Reserves.. 18 million MT, with third-largest rare earths producer in 2016 and it also holds the third-highest reserves in the world. Last year, production was 3,000 MT. Its reserves currently stand at 18 million MT. The country consumption of rare earths is expected to exceed 180,000 tonnes annually by 2020. 4. India Reserves.. 6.9 million MT. with 35% of the world beach and sand mineral deposits. Produced 1,700 MT of rare earths in 2016. 5. Australia Reserves: 3.4 million MT producing. 6. Greenland Reserves.. 1.5 million MT New mine. 7. United States Reserves.. 1.4 million MT mine in CA and new mine in W. Texas. Read on.