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Germanium, China
Kunming (Yunnan), China25.04°N 102.71°E
computed criticality17/100
reading
China leading world producer and exporter of germanium (limited global data, USGS 2024)
2024Fault line
China is the leading global producer and exporter of germanium, a byproduct of zinc and coal; it placed exports under licensing in 2023 then banned all sales to the United States in late 2024, and global production data remain partial. Germanium is critical to fiber optics, infrared optics and multijunction solar cells for satellites.
→Stable2030
In 2025 China remains the leading global producer and exporter of germanium (share often estimated at ≈60%, refinery data limited per USGS); export licensing since Aug. 2023 and a US ban since Dec. 2024, with no reliable supply diversification.USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2026 ↗
Actors
China (Yunnan Chihong, Yunnan Lincang Xinyuan)
Belgium
Canada
Russia
Sources