China Possesses the World's Largest Rare Earth Metal Reserves

The U.S. Geological Survey notes that China has the world's largest reserves of rare earth metals, totaling 44 million tons, or 39.4% of the world's total rare earth metal reserves in 2020.

China's rare earth metal reserves are even larger than the combined reserves of Brazil and Russia. Brazil's reserves are recorded at 21 million tons (16.9%), and Russia's at 20.6 million tons (16.6%).

India has recorded rare earth metal reserves of 6.9 million tons (5.6%). Australia's reserves reach 4.1 million tons (3.3%).

The United States has recorded rare earth metal reserves of 1.5 million tons (1.2%). Meanwhile, the total reserves in other countries reach 26.04 million tons.

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), global consumption of rare earth metals will continue to rise, driven by the increasing and diverse use of these metals in various devices such as hybrid cars, batteries, CDs, fiber optics, ceramics, and various catalysts.

One rare earth mineral found in abundance in Indonesia is tin ore with associated minerals monazite, xenotime, zircon, and ilmenite. There are also copper ores with associated minerals anode slime, iron sand, gold ore, and bauxite ore.