After several other elements, let’s check out the top 9 countries for rare earth metal production. Insider Monkey have made their remarkable research work, related to this topic again. Believe it or not, but it’s a $8.1 billion industry, so it’s understandable why these countries outrival others. Rare earth metals aren’t only one kind of metal, but actually this name includes 17 chemicals. Another interesting fact, that although their names show they are rare, actually they are quite common within the Earth’s crust.
You may think of why they are so valuable – well, it’s because they amazingly important to the technology industry, which is one of the largest and profitable industries across the globe. They are used in computers, national defense, clean energy, consumer electronics, advanced transportation. Renwable energy industry depends on rare earth metals, as well, as they are used in wind turbines. Due to the increased demand, the production of the rare earth metals increased to 210,000 metric tons, an increase of 11% from 2018.
9. Brazil
Production of rare earth metals in 2018 (in metric tons): 1,100
Production of rare earth metals in 2019 (in metric tons): 1,000
8. Thailand
Production of rare earth metals in 2018 (in metric tons): 1,000
Production of rare earth metals in 2019 (in metric tons): 1,800
7. Madagascar
Production of rare earth metals in 2018 (in metric tons): 2,000
Production of rare earth metals in 2019 (in metric tons): 2,000
6. Russia
Production of rare earth metals in 2018 (in metric tons): 2,700
Production of rare earth metals in 2019 (in metric tons): 2,700
5. India
Production of rare earth metals in 2018 (in metric tons): 2,900
Production of rare earth metals in 2019 (in metric tons): 3,000
4. Australia
Production of rare earth metals in 2018 (in metric tons): 21,000
Production of rare earth metals in 2019 (in metric tons): 21,000
3. Burma
Production of rare earth metals in 2018 (in metric tons): 19,000
Production of rare earth metals in 2019 (in metric tons): 22,000
2. United States of America
Production of rare earth metals in 2018 (in metric tons): 18,000
Production of rare earth metals in 2019 (in metric tons): 26,000
1. China
Production of rare earth metals in 2018 (in metric tons): 120,000
Production of rare earth metals in 2019 (in metric tons): 132,000
Are you surprised that China hits the top on the list of 9 top countries for rare earth metals production, too? If you have followed our lists recenetly, you can see that the participants of producing elements, metals etc are always the same, at most they change their position on the lists.
