Countries with the Largest Rare Earth Reserves 2024

Rare earths aren’t rare in the ground, but high‑quality deposits are concentrated in just a handful of places. China, Brazil, and India hold about four‑fifths of these critical resources. That means most of the world relies on these countries for the technologies driving electric cars, wind turbines, and defense systems. The numbers come from the latest USGS (2024) report, which uses “rare‑earth‑oxide equivalent” to compare apples to apples across countries.​

Reserves: The Top Players

Reserves shift with prices, technology, and government decisions. Vietnam’s reserves dropped from 22 million tons to 3.5 million after a close review. China leads with 44 million tons, followed by Brazil (21 million), India (6.9 million), and then Australia, Russia, Vietnam, the US, Greenland, Tanzania, South Africa, and Canada. Altogether, the top five countries make up nearly 90% of the world’s total. But having reserves is just the start—getting them out and refining them is a whole other story.​

China: World’s Rare Earth Powerhouse

Its production matches China’s massive reserves. Mining is centered in places like Bayan Obo in Inner Mongolia and in southern clays. Over the past 30 years, China has built an industrial backbone from mines to magnets, accounting for about 60–70% of global mine production and more than 85% of refining capacity. Thanks to heavy investment, expertise, and government support, it’s not just rocks in the ground; it’s a fully developed supply chain. The government closely tracks and limits trade, keeping other countries on their toes.​

Brazil: Giant Deposits, Growth Mode

Brazil sits on 21 million tons, making it the runner‑up in reserves. These are found primarily on weathered carbonatites and ionic clays. For years, Brazil lagged in turning those reserves into actual production. But that’s changing with new policies and investments. Serra Verde in Goiás was the first to produce all the key magnetic elements—Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb—at a meaningful scale outside China. This could transform Brazil into a real player, especially for American and European buyers hungry for alternatives.​

India: Sandy Opportunities and Tight Controls

India’s rare earths come from monazite beach sands along the south and east coasts. The government‑owned company IREL takes charge from mining to processing, with strict oversight due to the thorium content. Private companies are increasingly getting involved, focusing on magnet production for electric motors and wind turbines. India’s reserves are big—around 6.9 million tons—but annual output remains low. With smart investments and looser regulations, India could be next to scale up quality production.​

Australia: Lynas and Long-Term Security

Australia is the largest producer of rare earths outside China. The Lynas Mt Weld mine is an important site and was upgraded in 2024 to increase production of both light & heavy rare earths. Australia sends some of its rare earths to Malaysia for processing, while also working on local processing to supply the US, Japan, and Europe. With stable politics and a strong track record, Australia is a trusted choice for countries looking for sources outside China.

Russia: Heavy Potential, Sanctions Slow Progress

Russia says it has huge rare earth “resources,” but official reserves are 3.8 million tons. The Tomtor deposit in Yakutia is one of the richest Wordwide. In 2025, Rosneft took the lead to speed up development, making rare earths a national priority.

However, sanctions, technology limits, and low local demand are slowing progress. Russia could achieve a lot more if political conditions improve and international partnerships grow.

Vietnam: Big Correction, Steady Progress

Vietnam’s reserves were revised way down to 3.5 million tons in 2025 after years of overstatement. Most mining is around Lai Châu (the Dong Pao deposit) and along the coast. Production is still tiny—about 300 tons a year—but partnerships with Australian, US, and Korean firms are growing. Success will mean financing, strong governance, and the development of non-Chinese refining capacity.​

United States: Comeback and Local Buildout

The US holds 1.9 million tons. The Mountain Pass mine in California is open again and producing significant NdPr concentrates, with new work on refining and magnets in Texas. Government funding is pushing for complete supply chains at home to secure against global shocks. Capacity is rising but still trails China, with around 45,000 tons produced in 2024.​

Greenland: Big Rock, Political Hurdles

Greenland’s Ilímaussaq complex could be a multi-decade supplier to Europe. But concerns over uranium and local politics froze its big Kvanefjeld project, and now it’s in arbitration. The EU is still watching closely for breakthroughs that could create a nearby source for its market.​

Tanzania: East Africa’s Flagship

Tanzania’s Ngualla project is among the world’s most promising undeveloped sources of NdPr magnets. With nearly 0.9 million tons in confirmed reserves, Tanzania is also pushing for local refining and separation, rather than just shipping raw ore. By 2029, Africa (including Tanzania, Angola, Malawi, and South Africa) could supply up to 9% of world production if projects get financing and partnerships are in place.​

South Africa: Resource Recycler

South Africa combines new mining with reprocessing tailings (especially at Phalaborwa). With about 0.86 million tons in reserves, the focus is on simpler, cleaner production. Successful partnerships and expanding processing are the next steps.​

Canada: Stable and Underused

Canada has plenty of geological potential but lags in processing capacity and total reserves (about 0.83 million tons). Multiple projects in Quebec and the Territories are just starting. Canada looks to partner with the US and EU over the next decade on magnets, batteries, and processing to leverage its stable market.​

From Ground to Gadgets: How Supply Chains Work

Mining rare earths is just the first step. Proper supply security means separating them into oxides, making alloys, and producing magnets. China leads every step, but others are catching up. Australia and the US have made progress on separation and magnets. Europe, Japan, and Brazil are working on new plants and partnerships. Recycling—especially from magnets and electronics—is on the rise, but technical hurdles and collection challenges mean it won’t replace fresh mining soon.​

Why Does This Matter?

Rare earths are in EV motors, wind turbines, smartphones, and military tech. NdPr magnets are the backbone of clean energy. Dy and Tb help magnets work in extreme heat. Other uses—catalysts, ceramics, poising agents—matter too, but the surge is driven by demand for magnets. The supply chain is tight; a disruption in China or a new producer coming online changes everything.​

Fast Facts for Quick Comparison

• China: 44 million tons; ~65% production; ~85% refining; ~90% magnets
• Brazil: 21 million tons; new industrial projects underway
• India: 6.9 million tons; state and private sector expanding
• Australia: 5.7 million tons; global leader outside China
• Russia: 3.8 million tons; Tomtor deposit, but sanctions and tech limits
• Vietnam: 3.5 million tons; small current output, big plans
• The United States has 1.9 million tons of rare earths, with Mountain Pass and new investments driving growth.
• Greenland holds 1.5 million tons, but political and environmental challenges slow progress.
• Tanzania and South Africa have 0.89 and 0.86 million tons, benefiting from the African Growth Corridor.
• Canada has 0.83 million tons, with stable politics and plans for future processing.

Challenges and Solutions

Processing rare earths is difficult. Solvent extraction uses a lot of chemicals and energy, and radioactive byproducts like thorium create environmental problems.

Today, mines are investing in cleaner technology and strict safety controls. Recycling helps too, especially for defense needs, but it can’t keep up with the fast-growing demand.

What’s Next?

The main focus isn’t just finding more rare earths—it’s building better separation plants and magnet factories outside China. Australia is growing its production with Lynas, the US is working on projects that go from mines to magnets, and Brazil is becoming important thanks to its ionic clay deposits.

Africa and Greenland could also play a big role if politics and partnerships fall into place. Watch for new plants, contracts, and financing deals—those signal who’s really building supply chains.

Real People, Real Progress

Behind the numbers are communities, engineers, miners, and governments trying to balance profits, jobs, and the environment. From Kalgoorlie apprentices to Tanzanian techs and American magnet labs, new talent and collaboration shape the field. Human capital and fair rules may be as necessary as having the right rocks.​

Bottom Line

Not all reserves become supply separation, and magnets are critical. China is still the heavyweight, but diversification is picking up speed. Non-Chinese projects in Australia, the US, Brazil, and Africa deserve close tracking. Teams that combine innovative engineering, community support, and financing will win out.

Ideas for you to explore: Build a simple tracker for quarterly changes in non-China processing and magnet output. Watch Brazil’s, Australia’s, and East Africa’s project steps, plus contracts and new policy, and pair that with China’s quota and export moves for a full-picture supply chain report that’s easy to understand and worth sharing.

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