Chips · materials
100% of the world’s primary gallium comes from China
China is the largest producer of 8 of the 14 materials here that USGS splits by country, including 87% of silicon metal and 69% of refined indium. USGS ties 9 of them to a step in making chips.
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The largest producer’s share of each material, 2025
18 materials · USGS world production · USGS estimates most 2025 figures. A blank country withholds or lacks a figure. Other countries are one row.largest producer the three largest together
USGS ties 9 of them to a step in making chips
what each is for, in USGS’s words · what the US imports| Material | Step | Largest producer | Concentration | US import reliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallium USGS states that GaAs and GaN make compound semiconductor wafers for integrated circuits and optoelectronic devices. ICs used 73% of US gallium. | compound semiconductors, the wafer | China 100% | 9,804 | 100%Canada, Japan, China, Germany |
| Germanium USGS states that germanium wafers are substrates for space solar cells and that germane gas is used in some semiconductor manufacturing. | the wafer, fab gases | — | — | >50%Belgium, China, Canada, Germany |
| Indium USGS names semiconductors and electrical components as indium end uses. It names InP chip materials and indium-based solder in data centers. | compound semiconductors, packaging | China 69% | 5,096 | 100%Republic of Korea, Japan, China, Canada |
| Arsenic USGS states that high-purity arsenic metal makes GaAs, indium-arsenide and InGaAs semiconductors. | compound semiconductors | Peru 49% | 4,037 | 100%China, Malaysia, Morocco |
| Silicon metal USGS states that silicon metal can become ultra-high-purity semiconductor-grade polysilicon. | the wafer | China 87% | 7,589 | >50%Brazil, Canada, Russia, Malaysia |
| High-purity quartz USGS states that high-purity quartz makes fused quartz crucibles. These crucibles grow silicon ingots for semiconductor wafers. | the wafer | — | — | — |
| Fluorspar USGS states that hydrogen fluoride made from fluorspar is essential for cleaning and etching in semiconductor manufacturing. | etch and clean | China 60% | 3,889 | 100%Mexico, Vietnam, China, South Africa |
| Helium USGS groups semiconductors with controlled atmospheres and fiber optics. This group used 17% of US helium. | fab gases | United States 43% | 3,055 | — |
| Neon USGS states that semiconductors used 32% of US neon. USGS also names semiconductors as the leading use of krypton. | fab gases | — | — | 52%NA |
USGS states no chip use for tungsten, tantalum, hafnium, antimony, rare earths, cobalt, palladium, copper or tin; they are here because they go into electronics or carry export controls. Concentration is a Herfindahl index from 0 to 10,000 over the countries USGS names. Import reliance is the share of US use that is imported.
Hafnium cost 4.9× its 2021 price in 2025, and antimony 4.7×
USGS’s US price for each, 2021 to 2025 · 2025 is mostly estimated| Material | 2021 to 2025 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hafniumdollars per kilogram | 781 | 1,590 | 6,130 | 4,560 | 3,800 | 4.9× | |
| Antimonydollars per pound | 5.31 | 6.18 | 5.49 | 10.24 | 25 | 4.7× | |
| Germaniumdollars per kilogram | 1,187 | 1,294 | 1,392 | 1,991 | 4,100 | 3.5× | |
| Galliumdollars per kilogram | 277 | 432 | 365 | 439 | 580 | 2.1× | |
| Tungstendollars per dry metric ton unit | 225 | 275 | 258 | 252 | 380 | 1.7× | |
| Arsenicdollars per pound | 1.11 | 1.82 | 2.05 | 1.97 | 1.85 | 1.7× | |
| Indiumdollars per kilogram | 223 | 250 | 244 | 351 | 370 | 1.7× | |
| Fluorspardollars per metric ton | 322 | 387 | 428 | 464 | 470 | 1.5× | |
| Tantalumdollars per kilogram | 158 | 196 | 170 | 167 | 180 | 1.1× | |
| Coppercents per pound | 432.3 | 410.8 | 395.3 | 431.8 | 490 | 1.1× | |
| Tincents per pound | 1,580 | 1,546 | 1,256 | 1,420 | 1,600 | 1.0× | |
| Cobaltdollars per pound | 24.21 | 30.78 | 17.2 | 16.77 | 21 | 0.9× | |
| Rare earthsdollars per kilogram | 92 | 124 | 75 | 55 | 69 | 0.8× | |
| Silicon metalcents per pound | 220.31 | 361.86 | 179.69 | 170.34 | 130 | 0.6× | |
| Palladiumdollars per troy ounce | 2,419.18 | 2,133.81 | 1,351.66 | 994.9 | 1,100 | 0.5× |
Each line is scaled to its own range. A lit row is a chip material. USGS’s series for each are in the CSV, with their full names.
China imposed 20 of 25 export controls on these materials since 2023
each from the issuing government’s notice- 16 Oct 2026 China · other measure China proposes to add 40 AI, biomedicine and photovoltaic technologies to its export-restricted technology list. Until the revision, exporters must register these technologies before export. MOFCOM MOST Announcement No. 48 of 2026 · polysilicon, silicon wafers
- 10 Jul 2026 China · ban China put a temporary export prohibition on helium (customs code 2804290010). MOFCOM says it will announce later changes separately. MOFCOM GAC Announcement No. 29 of 2026 · helium
- 24 Jun 2026 China · other measure China set up a public reporting process for illegal exports of strategic-mineral dual-use items, including transshipment through third countries. MOFCOM Announcement No. 26 of 2026 · strategic minerals (dual-use)
- 14 Jan 2026 United States · other measure · all countries (imports into the United States) The President directed Commerce and USTR to negotiate agreements on processed critical mineral imports instead of new tariffs now. He may later use other remedies, such as minimum import prices. Proclamation 11001, 91 FR 2439 (FR Doc. 2026-01045) · processed critical minerals, rare-earth magnets, derivative products
- 6 Jan 2026 China · ban · Japan China prohibits exports of all dual-use items to Japanese military users, military uses and other end uses that increase Japan's military strength. MOFCOM Announcement No. 1 of 2026 · all dual-use items (includes the controlled minerals)
- 9 Nov 2025 China · suspended · United States China suspended clause 2 of Announcement No. 46 of 2024, the ban on gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials to the United States, until 27 November 2026. MOFCOM Announcement No. 72 of 2025 · gallium, germanium, antimony, superhard materials, graphite
- 7 Nov 2025 China · suspended China suspended Announcements No. 55, 56, 57 and 58 and MOFCOM Announcements No. 61 and 62 of 2025 until 10 November 2026. MOFCOM GAC Announcement No. 70 of 2025 · rare earths, superhard materials, lithium-ion batteries, graphite
- 30 Oct 2025 China · other measure China set the qualification rules for state-trading enterprises that may export tungsten, antimony and silver in 2026 and 2027. MOFCOM Announcement No. 68 of 2025 · tungsten, antimony, silver
- 9 Oct 2025 China · licence required China requires an export licence for high-energy lithium-ion batteries, battery equipment, cathode materials and graphite anode materials. China suspended this rule before it took effect. MOFCOM GAC Announcement No. 58 of 2025 · lithium-ion batteries, battery cathode materials, synthetic graphite anode materials, graphite
- 9 Oct 2025 China · licence required China requires an export licence for five more medium and heavy rare earths and their metals, alloys, targets, oxides and compounds. China suspended this rule before it took effect. MOFCOM GAC Announcement No. 57 of 2025 · holmium, erbium, thulium, europium, ytterbium
- 9 Oct 2025 China · licence required China requires an export licence for rare-earth processing equipment and rare-earth ores and raw materials. China suspended this rule before it took effect. MOFCOM GAC Announcement No. 56 of 2025 · rare earths
- 9 Oct 2025 China · licence required China requires an export licence for synthetic diamond powder, single crystals, wire saws, grinding wheels and DC-arc plasma CVD equipment. China suspended this rule before it took effect. MOFCOM GAC Announcement No. 55 of 2025 · superhard materials, synthetic diamond
- 9 Oct 2025 China · licence required China requires a licence to export rare-earth mining, separation, smelting, magnet-making and recycling technology, and production-line services. China suspended this rule on 7 November 2025. MOFCOM Announcement No. 62 of 2025 · rare earths, rare-earth magnets
- 9 Oct 2025 China · licence required · all destinations (extraterritorial) China requires foreign exporters to get a Chinese licence for foreign-made items with 0.1 percent or more Chinese rare-earth content by value. It reviews case by case applications for advanced-chip end uses. China suspended this rule on 7 November 2025. MOFCOM Announcement No. 61 of 2025 · rare earths, rare-earth magnets
- 30 Jul 2025 United States · tariff · all countries (imports into the United States) The United States put a 50 percent Section 232 tariff on imports of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products. Proclamation 10962, Adjusting Imports of Copper Into the United States · copper
- 15 Jul 2025 China · licence required China added battery cathode preparation technology to its restricted technology list. It also added controls on lithium extraction technology and changed the rules for gallium extraction technology. MOFCOM MOST Announcement No. 28 of 2025 · lithium, battery cathode materials, gallium
- 1 Jul 2025 United States · other measure · all countries (imports into the United States) The Secretary of Commerce started a Section 232 national-security investigation of imports of polysilicon and its derivatives. Section 232 investigation, FR Doc. 2025-13345 (90 FR, No. 134) · polysilicon, silicon
- 22 Apr 2025 United States · other measure · all countries (imports into the United States) The Secretary of Commerce started a Section 232 national-security investigation of imports of processed critical minerals and derivative products. Section 232 investigation, 90 FR 17372 (FR Doc. 2025-07273) · processed critical minerals, derivative products
- 4 Apr 2025 China · licence required China requires an export licence for seven medium and heavy rare earths, with their metals, alloys, oxides, compounds, sputtering targets and some magnets. MOFCOM GAC Announcement No. 18 of 2025 · samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, yttrium, rare-earth magnets
- 4 Feb 2025 China · licence required China requires an export licence for listed tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum and indium items. The indium items include indium phosphide, trimethylindium and triethylindium. MOFCOM GAC Announcement No. 10 of 2025 · tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, indium
- 11 Dec 2024 United States · tariff · China (imports into the United States) The United States increased Section 301 tariffs on Chinese solar wafers and polysilicon to 50 percent and on certain tungsten products to 25 percent. Section 301 four-year review modification (China technology transfer investigation) · tungsten, polysilicon, silicon wafers
- 3 Dec 2024 China · ban · United States China will not, in principle, license exports of gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard-material items to the United States. It applies stricter end-user checks to graphite exports to the United States. MOFCOM Announcement No. 46 of 2024 · gallium, germanium, antimony, superhard materials, graphite
- 15 Aug 2024 China · licence required China requires an export licence for antimony ores, metal, oxides and high-purity organic antimony and antimony hydride. It also controls superhard-material equipment and materials. MOFCOM GAC Announcement No. 33 of 2024 · antimony, superhard materials
- 20 Oct 2023 China · licence required China requires an export licence for high-purity synthetic graphite and natural flake graphite. It removes the 2006 temporary controls on other graphite items. MOFCOM GAC Announcement No. 39 of 2023 · graphite
- 3 Jul 2023 China · licence required China requires an export licence for gallium and germanium metals and compounds, which include GaN, GaAs, InGaAs and germanium dioxide. MOFCOM GAC Announcement No. 23 of 2023 · gallium, germanium
Every producing country, by material
USGS world production, 2025 · open a material for its countriesGallium China 100% · kilograms
| Country | kilograms | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | 900,000 | 99% |
| Russia | 6,000 | 1% |
| Japan | 3,000 | 0% |
| Other countries | — | — |
| United States | — | — |
| World, rounded | 900,000 |
Controls: 3 Jul 2023, China · 3 Dec 2024, China · 15 Jul 2025, China · 9 Nov 2025, China
USGS’s list of controls in force: China, export licensing requirement for materials and technologies: Antimony (2024), bismuth (2025), synthesized diamond (2025), gallium (2023), germanium (2023), graphite (2023), indium (2025), magnesium materials (2024), molybdenum (2025), rare earths (2025), silver (2026), tellurium (2025), tungsten (2025), and items related to lithium batteries and artificial graphite anode materials (2025).
Germanium USGS gives no split by country
Controls: 3 Jul 2023, China · 3 Dec 2024, China · 9 Nov 2025, China
USGS’s list of controls in force: China, export licensing requirement for materials and technologies: Antimony (2024), bismuth (2025), synthesized diamond (2025), gallium (2023), germanium (2023), graphite (2023), indium (2025), magnesium materials (2024), molybdenum (2025), rare earths (2025), silver (2026), tellurium (2025), tungsten (2025), and items related to lithium batteries and artificial graphite anode materials (2025).
Indium China 69% · metric tons
| Country | metric tons | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | 760 | 69% |
| Korea, Republic of | 180 | 16% |
| Japan | 65 | 6% |
| Canada | 40 | 4% |
| France | 21 | 2% |
| Belgium | 19 | 2% |
| Russia | 5 | 0% |
| Uzbekistan | 1 | 0% |
| United States | — | — |
| World, rounded | 1,100 |
Controls: 4 Feb 2025, China
USGS’s list of controls in force: China, export licensing requirement for materials and technologies: Antimony (2024), bismuth (2025), synthesized diamond (2025), gallium (2023), germanium (2023), graphite (2023), indium (2025), magnesium materials (2024), molybdenum (2025), rare earths (2025), silver (2026), tellurium (2025), tungsten (2025), and items related to lithium batteries and artificial graphite anode materials (2025).
Arsenic Peru 49% · metric tons
| Country | metric tons | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Peru | 30,000 | 49% |
| China | 24,000 | 39% |
| Morocco | 5,000 | 8% |
| Belgium | 1,000 | 2% |
| Russia | 500 | 1% |
| Japan | — | — |
| United States | — | — |
| World, rounded | 61,000 |
Silicon metal China 87% · thousand metric tons
| Country | thousand metric tons | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | 4,000 | 87% |
| Brazil | 180 | 4% |
| Norway | 130 | 3% |
| France | 68 | 1% |
| Australia | 47 | 1% |
| Other countries | 46 | — |
| Russia | 35 | 1% |
| Canada | 34 | 1% |
| Iceland | 16 | 0% |
| Germany | 13 | 0% |
| South Africa | 10 | 0% |
| Kazakhstan | 7 | 0% |
| Spain | 4 | 0% |
| Bhutan | — | — |
| India | — | — |
| Malaysia | — | — |
| United States | W | — |
| World, rounded | 4,600 |
Controls: 11 Dec 2024, United States · 1 Jul 2025, United States · 16 Oct 2026, China
High-purity quartz USGS gives no split by country
Fluorspar China 60% · thousand metric tons
| Country | thousand metric tons | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | 6,000 | 59% |
| Mexico | 1,500 | 15% |
| Mongolia | 1,500 | 15% |
| South Africa | 410 | 4% |
| Other countries | 200 | — |
| Vietnam | 160 | 2% |
| Spain | 140 | 1% |
| Brazil | 100 | 1% |
| Iran | 70 | 1% |
| Thailand | 55 | 1% |
| Pakistan | 50 | 0% |
| Germany | 35 | 0% |
| Tajikistan | 15 | 0% |
| United States | NA | — |
| World, rounded | 10,000 |
Helium United States 43% · million cubic meters
| Country | million cubic meters | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 81 | 43% |
| Qatar | 63 | 33% |
| Russia | 18 | 9% |
| Algeria | 11 | 6% |
| Canada | 6 | 3% |
| China | 3 | 2% |
| Poland | 3 | 2% |
| South Africa | s | — |
| World, rounded | 190 |
Controls: 10 Jul 2026, China
Neon USGS gives no split by country
Tungsten China 79% · metric tons
| Country | metric tons | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | 67,000 | 79% |
| Vietnam | 3,000 | 4% |
| Kazakhstan | 2,400 | 3% |
| Other countries | 2,400 | — |
| Korea, North | 2,000 | 2% |
| Russia | 2,000 | 2% |
| Bolivia | 1,700 | 2% |
| Rwanda | 1,300 | 2% |
| Australia | 1,000 | 1% |
| Austria | 840 | 1% |
| Spain | 800 | 1% |
| Portugal | 700 | 1% |
| United States | — | — |
| World, rounded | 85,000 |
Controls: 11 Dec 2024, United States · 4 Feb 2025, China · 30 Oct 2025, China
USGS’s list of controls in force: Russia, export ban: Steel waste and scrap, tungsten scrap, and enriched uranium (2022). · China, export licensing requirement for materials and technologies: Antimony (2024), bismuth (2025), synthesized diamond (2025), gallium (2023), germanium (2023), graphite (2023), indium (2025), magnesium materials (2024), molybdenum (2025), rare earths (2025), silver (2026), tellurium (2025), tungsten (2025), and items related to lithium batteries and artificial graphite anode materials (2025).
Tantalum DR Congo 52% · metric tons
| Country | metric tons | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Congo (Kinshasa) | 1,300 | 52% |
| Rwanda | 400 | 16% |
| Nigeria | 390 | 16% |
| Brazil | 190 | 8% |
| China | 80 | 3% |
| Australia | 50 | 2% |
| Ethiopia | 40 | 2% |
| Russia | 30 | 1% |
| Bolivia | 2 | 0% |
| Burundi | 2 | 0% |
| Mozambique | 1 | 0% |
| United States | — | — |
| World, rounded | 2,500 |
Hafnium USGS gives no split by country
Antimony China 36% · metric tons
| Country | metric tons | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | 40,000 | 36% |
| Russia | 32,000 | 29% |
| Tajikistan | 22,000 | 20% |
| Bolivia | 5,000 | 5% |
| Burma | 4,500 | 4% |
| Turkey | 3,000 | 3% |
| Australia | 1,300 | 1% |
| Kazakhstan | 800 | 1% |
| Kyrgyzstan | 700 | 1% |
| Mexico | 600 | 1% |
| Pakistan | 260 | 0% |
| Vietnam | 220 | 0% |
| Laos | 200 | 0% |
| Iran | 90 | 0% |
| Guatemala | 50 | 0% |
| Canada | — | — |
| United States | W | — |
| World, rounded | 110,000 |
Controls: 15 Aug 2024, China · 3 Dec 2024, China · 30 Oct 2025, China · 9 Nov 2025, China
USGS’s list of controls in force: China, export licensing requirement for materials and technologies: Antimony (2024), bismuth (2025), synthesized diamond (2025), gallium (2023), germanium (2023), graphite (2023), indium (2025), magnesium materials (2024), molybdenum (2025), rare earths (2025), silver (2026), tellurium (2025), tungsten (2025), and items related to lithium batteries and artificial graphite anode materials (2025).
Rare earths China 69% · metric tons
| Country | metric tons | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | 270,000 | 69% |
| United States | 51,000 | 13% |
| Australia | 29,000 | 7% |
| Burma | 22,000 | 6% |
| Thailand | 4,800 | 1% |
| India | 2,900 | 1% |
| Madagascar | 2,700 | 1% |
| Russia | 2,600 | 1% |
| Brazil | 2,000 | 1% |
| Nigeria | 1,500 | 0% |
| Other countries | 550 | — |
| Vietnam | 150 | 0% |
| Malaysia | 110 | 0% |
| Canada | — | — |
| Greenland | — | — |
| South Africa | — | — |
| Tanzania | — | — |
| World, rounded | 390,000 |
Controls: 4 Apr 2025, China · 9 Oct 2025, China · 9 Oct 2025, China · 9 Oct 2025, China · 9 Oct 2025, China · 7 Nov 2025, China · 14 Jan 2026, United States
USGS’s list of controls in force: Malaysia, export ban: Raw rare earths (2024). · Namibia, export ban: Ores and concentrates of cobalt, graphite, lithium, manganese, and rare earths (2023). · Vietnam, export ban: Raw materials of iron, lead-zinc, chromite, manganese, apatite, and rare earths and deeply processed titanium (2012). · China, export licensing requirement for materials and technologies: Antimony (2024), bismuth (2025), synthesized diamond (2025), gallium (2023), germanium (2023), graphite (2023), indium (2025), magnesium materials (2024), molybdenum (2025), rare earths (2025), silver (2026), tellurium (2025), tungsten (2025), and items related to lithium batteries and artificial graphite anode materials (2025).
Cobalt DR Congo 74% · metric tons
| Country | metric tons | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Congo (Kinshasa) | 230,000 | 73% |
| Indonesia | 44,000 | 14% |
| Other countries | 9,100 | — |
| Russia | 7,700 | 2% |
| Madagascar | 3,900 | 1% |
| Australia | 3,700 | 1% |
| Philippines | 3,700 | 1% |
| Canada | 3,500 | 1% |
| Papua New Guinea | 2,800 | 1% |
| China | 2,000 | 1% |
| Cuba | 2,000 | 1% |
| Turkey | 1,900 | 1% |
| United States | 300 | 0% |
| World, rounded | 310,000 |
USGS’s list of controls in force: Namibia, export ban: Ores and concentrates of cobalt, graphite, lithium, manganese, and rare earths (2023). · Congo (Kinshasa), export quota: Cobalt (2025).
Palladium Russia 44% · kilograms
| Country | kilograms | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | 84,000 | 43% |
| South Africa | 70,000 | 36% |
| Canada | 16,000 | 8% |
| Zimbabwe | 15,000 | 8% |
| United States | 6,200 | 3% |
| Other countries | 2,900 | — |
| World, rounded | 190,000 |
Copper Chile 23% · thousand metric tons
| Country | thousand metric tons | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Chile | 5,300 | 23% |
| Congo (Kinshasa) | 3,200 | 14% |
| Other countries | 3,000 | — |
| Peru | 2,700 | 12% |
| China | 1,800 | 8% |
| Russia | 1,300 | 6% |
| United States | 1,000 | 4% |
| Zambia | 940 | 4% |
| Australia | 730 | 3% |
| Indonesia | 710 | 3% |
| Kazakhstan | 710 | 3% |
| Mexico | 690 | 3% |
| Canada | 500 | 2% |
| Poland | 410 | 2% |
| India | 23 | 0% |
| Germany | — | — |
| Japan | — | — |
| Korea, Republic of | — | — |
| World, rounded | 23,000 |
Controls: 30 Jul 2025, United States
USGS’s list of controls in force: Indonesia, export ban: Bauxite (2023), copper concentrates (2023), and nickel ore (2020). · Laos, export ban: Raw minerals, including copper, gold, iron, nickel, potassium, silver, and zinc (2024). · Tanzania, export ban: Ore concentrates of copper, gold, nickel, and silver (2017). · Venezuela, export ban: Bauxite, cassiterite, columbite-tantalite, copper, gold, rhodium, silver, and thorium (2024). · Morocco, export licensing requirement: Copper (refined and alloys) and aluminum ingots (2025).
Tin China 24% · metric tons
| Country | metric tons | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | 71,000 | 24% |
| Indonesia | 61,000 | 21% |
| Peru | 33,000 | 11% |
| Brazil | 28,000 | 10% |
| Congo (Kinshasa) | 27,000 | 9% |
| Bolivia | 15,000 | 5% |
| Australia | 12,000 | 4% |
| Burma | 12,000 | 4% |
| Vietnam | 11,000 | 4% |
| Malaysia | 5,000 | 2% |
| Rwanda | 4,600 | 2% |
| Russia | 4,500 | 2% |
| Nigeria | 3,500 | 1% |
| Laos | 1,800 | 1% |
| Other countries | 1,700 | — |
| United States | — | — |
| World, rounded | 290,000 |
- U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 Data Release, retrieved 19 Oct 2026. Public domain. Production, prices, import reliance, uses and the list of controls in force.
- The export controls: each notice is linked where it is listed, from the Ministry of Commerce of China, the US Trade Representative, the Federal Register and the White House. Read 19 Oct 2026.