Niobium Reserves by Country
China entered the niobium table in 2025 with 6,500,000 metric tons — instantly nearly one-third of everything listed. The figures below combine eight editions of the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries (2019-2026) and represent estimated quantities that can be economically extracted under applicable conditions — distinct from what is mined in a given year. Listed reserves totaled 21,353,000 metric tons in 2025.
Brazil (14,000,000 metric tons) leads China (6,500,000), with the pair holding about 96.0% of the listed total between them. Canada (640,000), the United States (210,000) and Russia (3,000) share the remaining sliver. USGS puts the world total above 21,000,000 metric tons. Only the United States repeated 2024 — the other four all changed. China had never appeared in the series before 2025. Its opening figure of 6,500,000 metric tons is more than ten times Canada's 640,000 and over thirty times the United States' 210,000, immediately placing China second behind Brazil. Brazil reported 16,000,000 metric tons from 2020 through 2024, then 14,000,000 for 2025 (-12.5%) — its first movement since 2020. Canada fell further, from 1,600,000 in every year through 2024 to 640,000 (-60.0%). Together the two cuts removed 2,960,000 metric tons, nearly half of China's debut figure. The United States has reported 210,000 metric tons since 2022 after wobbling between 170,000 and 210,000. Russia sits at the bottom with 3,000 — the smallest figure in the table, about one-seventieth of its American neighbor. Figures come from the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2019-2026, with 2025 values estimated. Units are metric tons, exactly as reported. Empty means the source reported no value; 0 means the source reports zero. The source’s world total, where published, may be rounded, approximate, a lower bound, or a textual estimate, so shares are computed against the sum of the listed countries. Reserves and production are different measures and should not be combined without equalizing units.
Niobium Reserves by Country
1
14,000,000
2
6,500,000
3
640,000
4
210,000
5
3,000
China enters the ranking in second
Cuts at the top and middle
The small, stable end
Niobium Reserves by Country
#
1
7,300,000
11,000,000
16,000,000
16,000,000
16,000,000
16,000,000
16,000,000
14,000,000
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,500,000
3
1,600,000
1,600,000
1,600,000
1,600,000
1,600,000
1,600,000
1,600,000
640,000
4
180,000
210,000
170,000
170,000
210,000
210,000
210,000
210,000
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,000
Methodology
Frequently Asked Questions
What are niobium reserves?
Niobium reserves are estimated quantities of niobium that can be economically extracted under applicable conditions, in metric tons. Production measures the amount mined in a year.
Which countries hold the most niobium reserves?
Brazil (14,000,000 metric tons) and China (6,500,000) reported the largest 2025 values, followed by Canada (640,000).
When did China first report?
China entered with 6,500,000 metric tons in 2025, instantly the second-largest figure listed.
How much niobium did Russia report in 2025?
At 3,000 metric tons, about one-seventieth of the United States' 210,000.
Data Disclaimer: Projected data (future years) are estimates based on mathematical models. Actual values may differ. Learn about our methodology →
Sources
-
Updated: 15.09.2026https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/mineral-commodity-summaries
Please log in to leave a comment.
Log in
(0) Comments