JURISDICTION DOSSIER · 5 MINERALS

South Korea - Critical Mineral Production & Reserves

Statistical profile of South Korea's critical mineral output across 5 quantified mineral chapters in the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries (2020-2026). South Korea holds 0 #1 global production ranks and 2 top-three global production ranks.

I. Covered Minerals 5 Quantified USGS chapters

II. #1 Global Ranks 0 2025 world output leader

III. Top-3 Global Ranks 2 Among top 3 world producers

IV. Highest World Share 16.4% Indium (Refinery production)

TABLE 1 · MULTI-YEAR EXTRACTION & REFINING LEDGER

South Korea Critical Mineral Production & World Shares (2020-2025)

Mineral & Stage	Unit	2020	2022	2024	2025e	Share	Rank
Indium Refinery production	metric tons	210	180	180	180	16.4%	#2
Bismuth Refinery production	metric tons	970	810	1,000	1,000	6.3%	#2
Rhenium Mine production	kilograms	2,800	2,800	3,000	3,000	3.7%	#6
Copper Refinery production	thousand metric tons	-	-	-	610	2.1%	#8
Natural graphite Mine production	metric tons	-	23,800	1,000	500	0.0%	#15

TABLE 2 · PROVEN GEOLOGICAL RESERVES

South Korea Reported Critical Mineral Reserves (2025)

Mineral & Reserve Basis	Unit	Reported Reserves	Share of World Reserves	Global Rank
Natural graphite Reserves	metric tons	1,800,000	0.6%	#13

JURISDICTION Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions - South Korea

Which critical minerals does South Korea lead in global production?

Among the 2026 USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries country tables, South Korea ranks in the global top three for 2 production measures (#1 in 0), including Indium (refinery production, rank #2, 16.4% of world total), Bismuth (refinery production, rank #2, 6.2% of world total).

What critical mineral reserves are reported for South Korea?

Quantified reserve estimates reported for South Korea in the 2026 USGS release include Natural graphite (1,800,000 metric tons). Reserve definitions and assessment dates vary across reporting jurisdictions.

For which critical minerals is South Korea a major import source to the United States?

In USGS 2021-24 US import-source statistics, South Korea is a reported supplier across 8 tracked import categories, led by Indium (All: 25%), Bismuth (All: 22%), Magnesium metal (Magnesium alloys (magnesium content): 20%), Tantalum (Tantalum waste and scrap: 18%).