Rhenium Reserves by Country
Five countries have reported the same rhenium reserve figures throughout the eight-year series. China is the exception: its reported reserve figure rose from 19,000 kilograms in 2024 to 200,000 in 2025. Figures are drawn from eight editions of the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries (2019-2026) and cover estimated quantities that can be economically extracted. Reserves measure potentially recoverable material, not the amount mined in a given year. The ranking spans 8 countries (6 with reported 2025 values) and 2,495,000 kilograms in listed 2025 reserves.
Chile (1,300,000 kilograms) leads the United States (400,000) by more than three to one. Russia (310,000), China (200,000) and Kazakhstan (190,000) form the next tier, with only 120,000 separating the highest and lowest of the three. Chile holds more reserves than the other five combined: 1,300,000 against 1,195,000. Chile, the United States, Russia, Kazakhstan (190,000) and Armenia (95,000) have reported the same figures throughout the eight-year series. Five of the six 2025 values match 2024 exactly. China first appeared in 2023 with 19,200 kilograms, reported 19,000 for 2024, then 200,000 for 2025 — an addition of 181,000 (+952.6%). The increase moved China past Kazakhstan into fourth place, the only change in the 2025 ranking. Peru (45,000 through 2020) and Canada (32,000) have reported nothing since 2020. Their combined 77,000 would still be below Armenia's 95,000, the smallest reported 2025 reserve figure. The source gives the world total only as “Large”. Figures come from the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2019-2026, with 2025 values estimated. Units are kilograms of rhenium content, as reported by USGS. 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.
Rhenium Reserves by Country
Year
1
1,300,000
2025
2
400,000
2025
3
310,000
2025
4
200,000
2025
5
190,000
2025
6
95,000
2025
7
45,000
2020
8
32,000
2020
Five countries with unchanged reserves
China's tenfold jump
Two early departures
Rhenium Reserves by Country
#
1
1,300,000
1,300,000
1,300,000
1,300,000
1,300,000
1,300,000
1,300,000
1,300,000
2
400,000
400,000
400,000
400,000
400,000
400,000
400,000
400,000
3
310,000
310,000
310,000
310,000
310,000
310,000
310,000
310,000
4
190,000
190,000
190,000
190,000
190,000
190,000
190,000
190,000
5
95,000
95,000
95,000
95,000
95,000
95,000
95,000
95,000
6
45,000
45,000
45,000
-
-
-
-
-
7
32,000
32,000
32,000
-
-
-
-
-
8
-
-
-
-
-
19,200
19,000
200,000
Methodology
Frequently Asked Questions
What are rhenium reserves?
Rhenium reserves are estimated quantities of rhenium that can be economically extracted under applicable conditions, in kilograms. Production measures the amount mined in a year.
Which countries hold the most rhenium reserves?
Chile (1,300,000 kilograms) and the United States (400,000) reported the largest 2025 values, followed by Russia (310,000).
How much did China's reported reserves change in 2025?
China's reported reserve figure rose from 19,000 to 200,000 kilograms, an increase of 181,000 kilograms (+952.6%).
Which countries have the smallest reported reserves?
Armenia had the smallest reported 2025 reserve figure at 95,000 kilograms. Peru and Canada were lower in the historical series, at 45,000 and 32,000 kilograms respectively, but neither has reported a reserve value since 2020.
Data Disclaimer: Projected data (future years) are estimates based on mathematical models. Actual values may differ. Learn about our methodology →
Sources
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Updated: 15.09.2026https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/mineral-commodity-summaries
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