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Critical Minerals

Explore 76 materials across six official lists. Search by material, application or product, and compare individual entries with grouped classifications.

Reviewed 27 September 2026 • Open learning

Understanding criticality

76 profiles covering the combined entries of six official critical-material lists, with individual rare-earth and platinum-group elements. This is a cross-jurisdiction learning catalogue, not a claim that every profile is critical everywhere.

Government lists mix elements, minerals, groups and specific products. We keep these distinctions visible: for example, iron and high-purity iron ore have separate profiles. Boron and borates share a profile. Group coverage is labelled separately from individually named entries.

Coverage, dates and source lists

These are the named editions, not a live legal eligibility service. Australia’s strategic-only aluminium, copper, phosphorus, tin and zinc entries are not marked Australian critical. India’s 30-material assessment is distinct from its statutory auction schedule. The EU assessment includes copper and nickel through their strategic status.

UK coverage follows Table 1 of the BGS report, including sodium compounds and excluding palladium. Rare-earth group badges describe group coverage; they do not mean every element is individually named or every product grade is eligible. Promethium is included because Australia explicitly names it in the group definition. Osmium is outside the EU five-metal PGM group.

Explore the material library

76 profiles

MaterialAlAluminiumMetalsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Canada · 2024

Applications

Transport, construction, packaging and electrical conductors.

Traded forms

Primary metal, billets, sheet and alloys.

What to understand

Bauxite, alumina and aluminium metal are different supply-chain stages.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Canada · 2024

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialSbAntimonyTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Flame-retardant systems, lead alloys and semiconductors.

Traded forms

Metal, trioxide and concentrates.

What to understand

Specify the chemical form; oxide and metal prices are not interchangeable.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialAsArsenicTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024

Applications

Compound semiconductors and specialist alloys.

Traded forms

High-purity metal and compounds.

What to understand

Semiconductor demand concerns highly refined products, not an undifferentiated ore.

List evidence: US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialBaSO₄BariteIndustrial mineralsExplore +

US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment

Applications

Weighting agent in drilling fluids; chemical feedstock.

Traded forms

Ground drilling-grade barite and concentrates.

What to understand

Density, particle size and impurities determine suitability. Also called baryte.

List evidence: US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment

USGS · Commodity reference chapters ↗

MaterialAl oreBauxiteIndustrial mineralsExplore +

EU · 2023 assessment

Applications

Principal ore feedstock for alumina and aluminium; some refractory uses.

Traded forms

Bauxite ore and calcined products.

What to understand

Available alumina and reactive silica are important processing considerations.

List evidence: EU · 2023 assessment

USGS · Commodity reference chapters ↗

MaterialBeBerylliumTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Aerospace components, copper alloys and X-ray windows.

Traded forms

Metal, copper-beryllium master alloys and oxide.

What to understand

Product form and occupational controls are central to handling and qualification.

List evidence: US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialBiBismuthTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Pharmaceutical compounds, low-melting alloys and replacement of lead in some applications.

Traded forms

Metal and chemical compounds.

What to understand

Pharmaceutical and metallurgical grades have different specifications.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialBBoron / boratesIndustrial mineralsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment

Applications

Glass, ceramics, detergents and boron-containing magnets.

Traded forms

Borate minerals, boric acid, oxides and specialist boron products.

What to understand

Elemental boron is not the same traded product as a borate mineral.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialCdCadmiumTechnology materialsExplore +

India · 2023

Applications

Nickel-cadmium batteries and cadmium-telluride solar cells.

Traded forms

Metal and refined compounds.

What to understand

Often recovered through zinc processing; end-use restrictions and product controls matter.

List evidence: India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialCsCaesiumTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · Canada · 2024

Applications

Drilling fluids, atomic clocks and research.

Traded forms

Caesium formate, salts and small quantities of metal.

What to understand

The formate-fluid market differs from ultra-pure scientific products. US spelling: cesium.

List evidence: US · 2025 · Canada · 2024

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialCeCeriumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Glass polishing, catalysts and glass additives.

Traded forms

Oxide, compounds and metal.

What to understand

Particle size and chemical purity affect polishing performance.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialCrChromiumMetalsExplore +

US · 2025 · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024

Applications

Stainless steel, corrosion-resistant alloys and refractory materials.

Traded forms

Chromite, ferrochrome and chromium metal.

What to understand

Ore chemistry and alloy grade determine the appropriate customer and price basis.

List evidence: US · 2025 · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialCoCobaltMetalsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Some battery cathodes, superalloys, hardmetals and catalysts.

Traded forms

Hydroxide intermediates, sulphate and refined metal.

What to understand

LFP batteries do not require cobalt; metal prices are not hydroxide settlement prices.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialCuCopperMetalsExplore +

US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Electrical wiring, motors, grids, electronics and plumbing.

Traded forms

Concentrates, cathodes, wire rod and scrap.

What to understand

Concentrate settlement includes payable metal and processing terms; it is not a cathode quotation.

List evidence: US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialDyDysprosiumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

High-temperature performance of some permanent magnets.

Traded forms

Oxide, metal and alloys.

What to understand

Magnet formulations vary; not every permanent magnet uses dysprosium.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialErErbiumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Fibre-optic amplification, lasers and coloured glass.

Traded forms

Oxide and specialised compounds.

What to understand

Telecommunications uses require a qualified optical material, not bulk oxide alone.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialEuEuropiumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Phosphors and optical or security applications.

Traded forms

Oxide and specialised compounds.

What to understand

Optical performance depends on the compound and host material, not simply europium percentage.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialFspFeldsparIndustrial mineralsExplore +

EU · 2023 assessment

Applications

Ceramics and glass manufacture.

Traded forms

Sodium, potassium or mixed feldspar products.

What to understand

Alkali content, iron impurities and firing behaviour affect customer acceptance.

List evidence: EU · 2023 assessment

USGS · Commodity reference chapters ↗

MaterialFFluorineTechnology materialsExplore +

Australia · 2024

Applications

Fluorochemicals, polymers and specialist chemical processing.

Traded forms

Fluorine-containing compounds and specialist elemental gas.

What to understand

Australia names fluorine; fluorspar is the main mineral feedstock. Elemental gas is a distinct hazardous product.

List evidence: Australia · 2024

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialCaF₂FluorsparIndustrial mineralsExplore +

US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment · Canada · 2024

Applications

Feedstock for fluorochemicals and flux in metallurgical processes.

Traded forms

Acid-grade and metallurgical-grade fluorite concentrates.

What to understand

Specify calcium fluoride, moisture and impurities; fluorite is the mineral name.

List evidence: US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment · Canada · 2024

USGS · Commodity reference chapters ↗

MaterialGdGadoliniumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Specialist alloys, neutron absorption and compounds used in MRI contrast agents.

Traded forms

Oxide, metal and refined compounds.

What to understand

Medical contrast products are formulated and regulated compounds, not raw gadolinium metal.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialGaGalliumTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Compound semiconductors, LEDs and power electronics.

Traded forms

Refined metal and semiconductor compounds.

What to understand

Usually recovered as a by-product; electronic-grade qualification is a separate stage.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialGeGermaniumTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Infrared optics, fibre optics and specialised solar cells.

Traded forms

Metal, dioxide and refined optical products.

What to understand

By-product recovery and purification capacity affect availability independently of ore resources.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialCGraphiteIndustrial mineralsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Battery anodes, refractories, foundries and lubricants.

Traded forms

Natural flake or amorphous graphite; purified and shaped products.

What to understand

These lists principally concern natural graphite. Synthetic graphite and qualified anode material are distinct products.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

USGS · Commodity reference chapters ↗

MaterialHfHafniumTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Nuclear control materials, superalloys and semiconductor films.

Traded forms

Metal, sponge and refined compounds.

What to understand

Usually separated from zirconium; control the zirconium content for the intended application.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialHeHeliumIndustrial mineralsExplore +

UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Canada · 2024

Applications

Cryogenic cooling, semiconductor production and leak detection.

Traded forms

Compressed gas and liquid helium.

What to understand

Purity, liquefaction, specialist containers and losses influence delivered cost.

List evidence: UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Canada · 2024

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialAl₂O₃High-purity aluminaTechnology materialsExplore +

Australia · 2024

Applications

Sapphire, LEDs and specialist ceramic or battery applications.

Traded forms

High-purity aluminium oxide powders and products.

What to understand

Australia lists high-purity alumina specifically; ordinary smelter-grade alumina is different.

List evidence: Australia · 2024

USGS · Commodity reference chapters ↗

MaterialFe oreHigh-purity iron oreMetalsExplore +

Canada · 2024

Applications

Feedstock for demanding ironmaking routes including direct reduction.

Traded forms

High-grade concentrates and pellets.

What to understand

Canada’s entry is narrower than iron generally; gangue and physical properties affect suitability.

List evidence: Canada · 2024

USGS · Commodity reference chapters ↗

MaterialHoHolmiumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Specialist lasers and magnetic applications.

Traded forms

Oxide, metal and compounds.

What to understand

Small-volume optical grades depend on precise impurity control.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialInIndiumTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Transparent conductive coatings, solders and semiconductors.

Traded forms

Metal, indium tin oxide and compounds.

What to understand

Often recovered from zinc processing; high-purity coating products need separate qualification.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialIrIridiumPlatinum groupExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Electrodes, crucibles, catalysts and some electrolysers.

Traded forms

Metal, powders and compounds.

What to understand

Small market size and catalyst qualification can constrain substitution.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialFeIronMetalsExplore +

UK · 2024

Applications

Steel for buildings, transport, machinery and infrastructure.

Traded forms

Iron ore, concentrates, pellets and iron products.

What to understand

The broad UK entry differs from Canada’s specific high-purity iron-ore entry.

List evidence: UK · 2024

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialLaLanthanumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Catalysts, optical glass and nickel-metal-hydride batteries.

Traded forms

Separated oxide, metal and alloys.

What to understand

A mixed rare-earth concentrate is not a substitute for separated lanthanum oxide.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialPbLeadMetalsExplore +

US · 2025

Applications

Lead-acid batteries, radiation shielding and specialist construction products.

Traded forms

Refined metal, alloys and recycled feedstocks.

What to understand

Battery recycling is an important supply route; confirm impurities and the form being priced.

List evidence: US · 2025

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialLiLithiumMetalsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Rechargeable batteries, glass, ceramics and lubricants.

Traded forms

Spodumene concentrates, carbonate and hydroxide.

What to understand

Battery-grade chemical qualification is not established by concentrate grade alone.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialLuLutetiumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Detector crystals, research and specialist medical isotopes.

Traded forms

Oxide, compounds and isotope-specific products.

What to understand

Medical isotope products are a separate regulated chain from ordinary lutetium oxide.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialMgCO₃MagnesiteIndustrial mineralsExplore +

UK · 2024

Applications

Feedstock for magnesia, especially refractory products.

Traded forms

Raw magnesite, calcined or dead-burned magnesia.

What to understand

Magnesite, magnesium oxide and magnesium metal are different commodities.

List evidence: UK · 2024

USGS · Commodity reference chapters ↗

MaterialMgMagnesiumMetalsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024

Applications

Lightweight alloys, aluminium alloying and metallurgical processing.

Traded forms

Metal, alloy ingots and powders.

What to understand

Metal is distinct from magnesite and magnesia; powder and ingot handling requirements differ.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialMnManganeseMetalsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024

Applications

Steelmaking and some battery cathodes.

Traded forms

Ore, ferroalloys, metal and high-purity sulphate.

What to understand

Battery-grade sulphate cannot be inferred from an ordinary metallurgical ore specification.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialCoalMetallurgical coalEnergy materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment

Applications

Coke and other carbon inputs in conventional iron and steel production.

Traded forms

Coking coal and other steelmaking coal grades.

What to understand

EU coverage is coking coal. Thermal-coal energy specifications alone do not establish coking performance.

List evidence: US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment

USGS · Commodity reference chapters ↗

MaterialMoMolybdenumMetalsExplore +

Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

High-performance steels, catalysts and high-temperature components.

Traded forms

Concentrates, oxide, ferromolybdenum and metal.

What to understand

Compare contained molybdenum and processing stage, not gross product weight alone.

List evidence: Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialNdNeodymiumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Strong permanent magnets used in motors, generators and electronics.

Traded forms

Oxide, metal, NdPr mixtures and magnet alloys.

What to understand

Oxide supply does not itself establish alloy or finished-magnet manufacturing capacity.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialNiNickelMetalsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Stainless steel, superalloys and some rechargeable batteries.

Traded forms

Ferronickel, matte, intermediates, refined metal and sulphate.

What to understand

Different nickel products follow different processing routes and customer specifications.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialNbNiobiumMetalsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

High-strength steel, superalloys and superconducting materials.

Traded forms

Ferroniobium, oxides and high-purity metal.

What to understand

Steelmaking alloy and superconducting-grade products are separate markets.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialOsOsmiumPlatinum groupExplore +

Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Specialist alloys and scientific or chemical applications.

Traded forms

Small quantities of metal and specialist compounds.

What to understand

Australia explicitly includes osmium in its PGE group. EU coverage lists the other five PGMs; osmium compounds can require specialist controls.

List evidence: Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialPdPalladiumPlatinum groupExplore +

US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Vehicle catalysts, electronics and chemical catalysts.

Traded forms

Refined metal, sponge, salts and catalyst products.

What to understand

It is absent from the UK 2024 critical table but appears on other lists.

List evidence: US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialPO₄Phosphate rockFertilisers and chemicalsExplore +

US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment

Applications

Feedstock for phosphate fertilisers and phosphoric acid.

Traded forms

Rock and beneficiated concentrates.

What to understand

Specify phosphate content, contaminants and acid-process suitability; US list calls this phosphate.

List evidence: US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment

USGS · Commodity reference chapters ↗

MaterialPPhosphorusFertilisers and chemicalsExplore +

UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Fertilisers, phosphates and industrial chemicals.

Traded forms

Elemental phosphorus, acids and phosphate chemicals.

What to understand

National entries may encompass different products; do not confuse elemental phosphorus with phosphate rock.

List evidence: UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialPtPlatinumPlatinum groupExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Catalysts, jewellery, electronics and some hydrogen technologies.

Traded forms

Refined metal, sponge, salts and catalysts.

What to understand

Recycled catalyst recovery is distinct from primary mine production.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialK saltsPotashFertilisers and chemicalsExplore +

US · 2025 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Potassium fertilisers and chemical manufacture.

Traded forms

Potassium chloride and potassium sulphate products.

What to understand

Nutrient basis, chloride tolerance and granular specification change the comparison.

List evidence: US · 2025 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

USGS · Commodity reference chapters ↗

MaterialPrPraseodymiumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Permanent magnets, alloys and glass or ceramic colourants.

Traded forms

Oxide, metal and mixed neodymium-praseodymium products.

What to understand

Separate Pr pricing from combined NdPr quotations.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialPmPromethiumRare earthsExplore +

Australia · 2024 (group)

Applications

Research and specialist radioisotope applications.

Traded forms

Specialist radioactive materials, not a normal bulk mineral product.

What to understand

Australia explicitly includes it in its rare-earth definition. It has no stable isotopes and is not conventionally mined commercially.

List evidence: Australia · 2024 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialReRheniumTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · Australia · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

High-temperature superalloys and catalysts.

Traded forms

Ammonium perrhenate, metal powder and pellets.

What to understand

Typically recovered as a by-product; purity and conversion stage affect value.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · Australia · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialRhRhodiumPlatinum groupExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Vehicle emission-control catalysts and specialist alloys.

Traded forms

Refined metal, sponge and compounds.

What to understand

A small co-product market; form, assay and fabrication premiums matter.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialRbRubidiumTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025

Applications

Research, frequency standards and specialist electronics.

Traded forms

High-purity salts and small quantities of metal.

What to understand

A small specialist market; a published commodity index may not represent a firm offer.

List evidence: US · 2025

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialRuRutheniumPlatinum groupExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Electronics, catalysts and alloying applications.

Traded forms

Metal powders and refined compounds.

What to understand

A platinum-group co-product with application-specific purity requirements.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialSmSamariumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Samarium-cobalt magnets and specialist nuclear applications.

Traded forms

Oxide, metal and magnet alloys.

What to understand

Samarium-cobalt and neodymium-iron-boron magnets have different performance characteristics.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialScScandiumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024

Applications

Aluminium alloys and solid oxide fuel-cell materials.

Traded forms

Oxide, salts and aluminium-scandium master alloys.

What to understand

Usually listed separately from grouped rare earths; alloy qualification matters.

List evidence: US · 2025 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialSeSeleniumTechnology materialsExplore +

Australia · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Glass manufacture, metallurgy and specialist electronic materials.

Traded forms

Refined selenium and compounds.

What to understand

Often recovered from copper-refinery residues; distinguish purity and physical form.

List evidence: Australia · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialSiSiliconTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Semiconductors, solar cells, aluminium alloys and silicones.

Traded forms

Silicon metal and highly purified polysilicon.

What to understand

Silica, metallurgical silicon and semiconductor-grade silicon are different products.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialAgSilverMetalsExplore +

US · 2025

Applications

Electronics, photovoltaics, jewellery and other industrial uses.

Traded forms

Refined bullion, powders and pastes.

What to understand

A bullion price does not include fabrication or qualification of a conductive paste.

List evidence: US · 2025

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialNaSodium compoundsFertilisers and chemicalsExplore +

UK · 2024

Applications

Glass, detergents and chemical manufacture.

Traded forms

Soda ash, salts and other sodium chemicals.

What to understand

The UK entry is sodium compounds; it does not imply an ordinary elemental-sodium market.

List evidence: UK · 2024

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialSrStrontiumIndustrial mineralsExplore +

EU · 2023 assessment · India · 2023

Applications

Ceramic ferrite magnets, pyrotechnic colourants and specialist materials.

Traded forms

Celestite and strontium carbonate or other salts.

What to understand

Mineral feedstock and refined salts have different purity requirements.

List evidence: EU · 2023 assessment · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialTaTantalumTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Electronic capacitors, superalloys and corrosion-resistant equipment.

Traded forms

Concentrates, oxide, metal powder and wire.

What to understand

Traceability, contained tantalum and capacitor-grade qualification are distinct checks.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialTeTelluriumTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Cadmium-telluride solar cells, thermoelectrics and alloys.

Traded forms

Refined metal and compounds.

What to understand

Commonly associated with copper-refining by-products; recovery capacity matters.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialTbTerbiumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Permanent-magnet performance and green phosphors.

Traded forms

Oxide, metal and compounds.

What to understand

Separate elemental supply from alloy or phosphor qualification.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialTmThuliumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Specialist lasers and portable X-ray-source applications.

Traded forms

Oxide, metal and specialist compounds.

What to understand

A niche material; application and purity drive small-lot pricing.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialSnTinMetalsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Solder, tinplate and chemical products.

Traded forms

Concentrates, refined metal and alloys.

What to understand

Concentrate settlement and refined solder-grade pricing use different specifications.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialTiTitaniumMetalsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Titanium dioxide pigments and titanium aerospace or industrial alloys.

Traded forms

Ilmenite, rutile, slag, sponge, metal and pigment.

What to understand

EU critical coverage concerns titanium metal; pigment feedstock is a different value chain.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialWTungstenMetalsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Cemented carbide cutting tools and high-temperature components.

Traded forms

Concentrates, ammonium paratungstate, oxides, metal and carbide.

What to understand

WO₃ units, payable content and processing stage must be made explicit.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialUUraniumEnergy materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · Canada · 2024

Applications

Fuel for nuclear electricity generation.

Traded forms

Uranium concentrates and controlled downstream fuel-cycle products.

What to understand

A concentrate price does not include conversion, enrichment or fuel fabrication.

List evidence: US · 2025 · Canada · 2024

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialVVanadiumMetalsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Steel alloys, catalysts and vanadium redox-flow batteries.

Traded forms

Pentoxide, ferrovanadium and electrolyte.

What to understand

Electrolyte and alloy specifications differ; contained-metal value is only one cost component.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · EU · 2023 assessment · Australia · 2024 · Canada · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialYbYtterbiumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Fibre lasers, specialist alloys and research.

Traded forms

Oxide, metal and compounds.

What to understand

Laser-grade materials require tight optical impurity limits.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialYYttriumRare earthsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 (group) · EU · 2023 assessment (group) · Australia · 2024 (group) · Canada · 2024 (group) · India · 2023 (group)

Applications

Ceramics, phosphors, lasers and high-temperature materials.

Traded forms

Oxide, metal and compounds.

What to understand

It is a rare earth despite not being a lanthanide; oxide grade depends on the application.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 group · EU · 2023 assessment group · Australia · 2024 group · Canada · 2024 group · India · 2023 group

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialZnZincMetalsExplore +

US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · Canada · 2024

Applications

Galvanising, brass, die casting and chemicals.

Traded forms

Concentrates, refined metal and oxide.

What to understand

Distinguish smelter feed from refined zinc and account for impurities and treatment terms.

List evidence: US · 2025 · UK · 2024 · Canada · 2024

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

MaterialZrZirconiumTechnology materialsExplore +

US · 2025 · Australia · 2024 · India · 2023

Applications

Ceramics, refractories and nuclear or chemical equipment.

Traded forms

Zircon, zirconia, metal and sponge.

What to understand

Nuclear-grade zirconium requires particularly low hafnium; zircon sand is not zirconium metal.

List evidence: US · 2025 · Australia · 2024 · India · 2023

Royal Society of Chemistry · Element background ↗

Read a specification before a price

CheckWhy it changes the comparison
Product and chemical basisMetal, oxide, concentrate and mineral percentages are different measurement bases.
Grade and impuritiesA headline assay does not establish suitability for the buyer’s process.
Wet or dry quantityMoisture changes the amount of dry material paid for.
Sampling and settlementDefine sampling, testing and dispute resolution.
Trade basisCompare currency, units, delivery point, Incoterm and quotation date.

Read the source: USGS · Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 ↗ · IEA · Critical Minerals Data Explorer ↗

Continue learning

Read the source: USGS · Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 ↗ · IEA · Critical Minerals Data Explorer ↗

Educational overview. Apply the current rules, contract and cargo-specific requirements to each shipment or project; this is not a substitute for specialist advice.