Rare Earths: World Mine Production, By Country Or Locality

This table presents the global mine production of rare earth elements, measured in metric tons of rare-earth oxide equivalent, broken down by country or locality over the period from 2018 to 2022. These data are critical for understanding the supply landscape of rare earths, which are essential components in a wide range of high-tech applications including electronics, renewable energy technologies, defense systems, and electric vehicles. Tracking production trends helps policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers assess market dynamics, supply risks, and the geopolitical implications of rare earth availability.

Analysis of the data reveals that China remains the dominant producer, with its output increasing steadily from 120,000 metric tons in 2018 to an estimated 210,000 metric tons in 2022, underscoring its pivotal role in the global rare earth supply chain. The United States shows significant growth, nearly tripling production from an estimated 14,000 metric tons in 2018 to 42,500 metric tons in 2022, reflecting expanding domestic mining activities. Conversely, Burma’s production declined sharply from 34,700 metric tons in 2021 to 12,000 metric tons in 2022, indicating potential disruptions or regulatory changes. Australia’s output fluctuated, peaking at 24,000 metric tons in 2021 before dropping to 18,000 metric tons in 2022. Other countries like Thailand and Madagascar also exhibited notable changes, with Thailand’s production rising from 1,000 metric tons in 2018 to a peak of 8,200 metric tons in 2021 before slightly decreasing to 7,100 metric tons in 2022, while Madagascar’s output fell dramatically from 6,000 metric tons in 2021 to 960 metric tons in 2022. Overall, global production increased from 190,000 metric tons in 2018 to an estimated 297,000 metric tons in 2022, reflecting growing demand and expanded mining efforts worldwide.