Infographic

Niobium in numbers

Niobium (Nb) drawn as one poster: 112 kt of world mine production in 2025, Brazil the largest producer, 7 critical mineral lists. Scroll to draw it, then download it as SVG or PNG.

PROSPECTOR TRAILS · INFOGRAPHIC · DATA YEAR 2025NiobiumNbTechnology metal · symbol NbNiobium strengthens steel (high-strength low-alloy steel for pipelines, cars and buildings) andis used in superalloys and superconducting magnets. Niobium anodes are an emerging batterytechnology.WORLD MINE PRODUCTION 2025112 ktNb content. USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries.TOP PRODUCER: BRAZIL93%104 kt of the world total in 2025.WORLD RESERVES 202521 MtLargest in Brazil (14 Mt). Nb content.CRITICAL MINERAL LISTS7Current government critical or strategic lists namingniobium, across 7 jurisdictions.TOP 3 PRODUCERS99%US NET IMPORT RELIANCE 2025100%PRICE 202526.00 $/kgTOP PRODUCERS 2025Where niobium comes fromBrazil104 kt93%Canada6.0 kt5.4%DR Congo970 t0.9%Russia300 t0.3%Rwanda200 t0.2%China40 t0.0%Mine production, Nb content. Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, estimates.Mine output was about 112 kt in 2025, and Brazil produced about 104 kt (about 93%), mostly from onecompany (CBMM). Canada (Niobec) is a distant second. Reserves are about 21 Mt, mainly in Brazil.1964–2021A century of niobium production0.00 t38 kt75 kt112 kt150 kt196419721980198819972005201320212021: 88 kt1964: 2.5 ktWorld production, USGS column 'World mine production'. Source: USGS Data Series 140, historical statistics.PRODUCING COUNTRIES6 countries reported niobium output in 2025Filled countries produce it; brighter is larger. Outline map simplified from Natural Earth.TRADE FLOWS 2024Biggest niobium trade routesBrazil → China$1.1 bnBrazil → Netherlands$462 mBrazil → South Korea$196 mBrazil → Japan$170 mBrazil → Singapore$170 mHS 720293: Ferro-niobium. World trade $3.4 bn in 2024. Source: CEPII BACI (HS22).POLICYOn the critical listsUnited States (USGS): critical 2025European Union: critical 2024United Kingdom (BGS): critical 2024Australia: critical 2024Canada: critical 2024India: critical 2023South Korea: critical 2023prospectortrails.comSources: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, CEPII BACI, IEA (CC BY 4.0), World Bank,government lists. Figures rounded.PROSPECTOR TRAILSOpen data, drawn in numbers
Niobium infographic: world production, top producers, reserves, a century of output, producing countries on a map, trade routes, critical lists. Data year 2025.

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The numbers

The figures on the poster, with their sources. Production and reserves are USGS estimates, trade values are CEPII BACI customs data, demand is the IEA's outlook.

World mine production, 2025
112 kt (Nb content) USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
Largest producer
Brazil, 104 kt (93% of world) USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
Top three producers' share
99% USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
World reserves, 2025
21 Mt (Nb content), largest in Brazil USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
Critical mineral lists
7 current lists in 7 jurisdictions (Australia, Canada, European Union, United Kingdom, India, South Korea, United States) government critical mineral lists
US net import reliance, 2025
100% USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
Price, 2025
26.00 $/kg (Price, average unit value, ferroniobium, dollars per kilogram) USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
World production, 1964
2.5 kt (USGS historical series, as reported) USGS Data Series 140 (historical statistics)
World production, 2021 (historical series)
88 kt USGS Data Series 140 (historical statistics)
Largest trade flow, 2024
Brazil → China, $1.1 bn (HS 720293, Ferro-niobium); world trade $3.4 bn CEPII BACI trade database

Sources

USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 · USGS Data Series 140 (historical statistics) · CEPII BACI trade database · government critical mineral lists. Figures are rounded; country names follow our atlas.

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Niobium storyWhere niobium is minedCritical mineral listsAll infographics