Country Intelligence
China
China stands out in this dataset through named industrial and corporate presence, policy leverage over trade and investment, and upstream production exposure, with its strongest relevance showing up in Gallium, Graphite, and Neodymium.
This country stands out through downstream industrial presence, named companies, and end-market relevance rather than pure upstream concentration.
Strategic Read
Industrial base
China matters because upstream supply concentration still drives pricing power, availability, and procurement risk across multiple materials.
Policy events
13
Materials covered
10
Leading materials
Overview
Why China matters
Primary read
Industrial base
Why it matters
China matters because upstream supply concentration still drives pricing power, availability, and procurement risk across multiple materials.
What to watch
Watch policy changes, permitting, and trade rules alongside any shift in Gallium exposure.
Coverage signals
Materials covered
10
Linked policy events
13
Refining appearances
7
Named companies
17
These are dataset signals showing how often China appears across strategic materials research, not official reserve or production totals.
Mining / upstream supply
Very High
9
Refining / processing
Very High
7
Policy leverage
Very High
13
Industrial presence
Very High
17
Material Exposure
Where China appears in the dataset
Gallium
Integrated upstream and refining presence
Gallium matters here because of producer signal: 99% (primary low-purity), refining share: 99%, 2 named players, and appears in chokepoint analysis.
Producer signal
99% (primary low-purity)
Refining share
99%
Graphite
Integrated upstream and refining presence
Graphite matters here because of producer signal: 77% (1,230,000 tonnes), refining share: 92%, 3 named players, and appears in chokepoint analysis.
Producer signal
77% (1,230,000 tonnes)
Refining share
92%
Neodymium
Integrated upstream and refining presence
Neodymium matters here because of producer signal: 58% mining, 92% magnets (2020), refining share: 90%, and 5 named players.
Producer signal
58% mining, 92% magnets (2020)
Refining share
90%
Germanium
Integrated upstream and refining presence
Germanium matters here because of producer signal: 80-85% (Yunnan Chihong: 60 t/yr capacity), refining share: 83% (~1,040), 1 named player, and appears in chokepoint analysis.
Producer signal
80-85% (Yunnan Chihong: 60 t/yr capacity)
Refining share
83% · ~1,040
Cobalt
Processing and refining relevance
Cobalt matters here because of refining share: 73% (170,910), 5 named players, and appears in chokepoint analysis.
Refining share
73% · 170,910
Copper
Integrated upstream and refining presence
Copper matters here because of producer signal: ~1.8 Mt mining; 43% of refining, refining share: 43%, 2 named players, and appears in chokepoint analysis.
Producer signal
~1.8 Mt mining; 43% of refining
Refining share
43%
Gold
Integrated upstream and refining presence
Gold matters here because of producer signal: ~380 t (largest miner), refining share: 12%, and appears in chokepoint analysis.
Producer signal
~380 t (largest miner)
Refining share
12%
Lithium
Upstream production relevance
Lithium matters here because of producer signal: 17.1% (41,000 tonnes) and appears in chokepoint analysis.
Producer signal
17.1% (41,000 tonnes)
Tungsten
Upstream production relevance
Tungsten matters here because of producer signal: 83% (67,000 tonnes) and appears in chokepoint analysis.
Producer signal
83% (67,000 tonnes)
Silver
Upstream production relevance
Silver matters here because of producer signal: 13% (3,300 tonnes).
Producer signal
13% (3,300 tonnes)
Production & Refining
Industrial footprint by material
| Material | Roles | Producer signal | Refining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallium | Producer, Source, Refiner, Key Player, Chokepoint | 99% (primary low-purity) | 99% |
| Graphite | Producer, Source, Refiner, Key Player, Chokepoint | 77% (1,230,000 tonnes) | 92% |
| Neodymium | Producer, Source, Refiner, Key Player | 58% mining, 92% magnets (2020) | 90% |
| Germanium | Producer, Source, Refiner, Key Player, Chokepoint | 80-85% (Yunnan Chihong: 60 t/yr capacity) | 83% · ~1,040 |
| Cobalt | Source, Refiner, Key Player, Chokepoint | N/A | 73% · 170,910 |
| Copper | Producer, Source, Refiner, Key Player, Chokepoint | ~1.8 Mt mining; 43% of refining | 43% |
| Gold | Producer, Source, Refiner, Chokepoint | ~380 t (largest miner) | 12% |
| Lithium | Producer, Source, Chokepoint | 17.1% (41,000 tonnes) | N/A |
| Tungsten | Producer, Source, Chokepoint | 83% (67,000 tonnes) | N/A |
| Silver | Producer, Source | 13% (3,300 tonnes) | N/A |
Key Players
Companies and industrial actors linked to China
China Aluminum Corp (Chalco)
China
Largest primary gallium producer; extracted during alumina refining
Zhuhai Fangyuan
China
Major Chinese gallium refiner
Yunnan Germanium
China
Subsidiary of Yunnan Chihong; world's largest Ge producer (~60 t/yr capacity)
Northern Rare Earth
China
Largest REE producer; operates Bayan Obo mine and separation facilities
China Rare Earth Group
China
State-owned consolidation of southern China REE producers
Shenghe Resources
China
REE processing; strategic partner to MP Materials
JL MAG Rare-Earth
China
Top 3 global NdFeB magnet manufacturer
Zhong Ke San Huan
China
Major sintered NdFeB magnet producer
Huayou Cobalt
China
Largest cobalt refiner globally; DRC mining equity
CMOC Group
China
Owns Tenke Fungurume (DRC), one of world's largest Co mines
GEM Co.
China
Battery recycling and Co refining; supplies CATL
CNGR Advanced Material
China
Precursor cathode material; major NMC supplier
CATL
China
World's largest battery manufacturer; ~37% global market share
Jiangxi Copper
China
One of China's largest copper smelter/refiners
BTR New Material Group
China
World's largest anode manufacturer
Ningbo Shanshan
China
Major synthetic and natural anode supplier
Putailai
China
Leading synthetic graphite anode producer
Policy Activity
Relevant policy and regulation
Feb 2026
DRC announces cobalt export curbs
China · DRC Ministry of Mines
Export restrictions imposed (quota/licensing details TBD). Exposes China's vulnerability despite 73% refining — dependent on DRC feed. Spot market tightening.
Nov 9, 2025
China suspends germanium ban to US
China · MOFCOM (China)
Temporary relief through Nov 27, 2026. Licensing regime continues. Market uncertainty persists.
Nov 2025
China suspends second-wave controls until Nov 2026 (Announcement No. 70)
China · MOFCOM / GAC (China)
Suspends October announcements (57, 61, 62) until 2026-11-10. April 2025 controls remain in effect. Creates temporary but uncertain reprieve.
Oct 2025
China introduces extraterritorial rare earth controls (Announcement No. 61)
China · MOFCOM (China)
Controls apply to rare earth items produced outside China if containing >0.1% value ratio of China-origin controlled inputs. Semiconductor end-use screening added.
Apr 2025
China announces export controls on rare earth items (Announcement No. 18)
China · MOFCOM / GAC (China)
Controls on REE metals, oxides, compounds, targets, and NdFeB magnets containing Dy/Tb. Licensing requirements for export of listed items.
Jan 2025
USGS confirms export ban in Mineral Commodity Summaries
China · USGS
Official confirmation of China's ban; highlights 100% US import dependency.
Dec 2024
China bans gallium exports to the United States
China · MOFCOM (China)
Complete ban on Ga shipments to US. Further tightening of supply for American semiconductor manufacturers.
Dec 3, 2024
China bans germanium exports to the United States
China · MOFCOM (Announcement No. 46)
Complete ban. Prices reach $2,850-3,000/kg (99.999%). US scrambles for alternative sources.
Dec 2023
China Imposes Graphite Export Controls
China · China MOFCOM
Requires special permits for exporters of highly sensitive graphite products, including battery-grade spherical graphite. South Korea and Japan heavily impacted.
Aug 2023
China export licensing requirement takes effect
China · MOFCOM (China)
All gallium exports require individual license with 45-day approval process. Immediate supply disruption.
Aug 1, 2023
Export licensing takes effect
China · MOFCOM / GACC (China)
95%+ volume drop in August-September. Supply disruption begins. Prices start climbing.
Jul 3, 2023
China announces export licensing for germanium and gallium
China · MOFCOM (Announcement No. 27)
All Ge exports require individual license application. No immediate price impact.
Aug 2022
US Inflation Reduction Act signed into law
China · US Congress
EV tax credit ($7,500) requires 40–80% FTA-sourced critical minerals (2023–2027). Only 8% of refined cobalt is IRA-compliant. Excludes China, DRC, Indonesia.
Structural Risks
Chokepoints and concentration notes
Gallium: China 99% primary gallium production
Gallium: China 98% low-purity gallium refining
Germanium: China 80–85% refining — near-monopoly
Cobalt: China 73% refining — midstream monopoly
Copper: China 43% refining — trade friction risk
Gold: China 12% mining — largest single producer
Graphite: Spheronization and purification IP is highly concentrated in China
Lithium: China controls midstream chemical conversion
Tungsten: The entire supply chain—from mine to APT to powder—is heavily centered in China.