Niobium - Production, Reserves & Supply Concentration
An alloying metal used to strengthen steels and in specialist superconducting materials.Production and reserves are measured by niobium content. Columbium, the alternative name used in the USGS chapter, refers to the same element.
Niobium Global Production & Country Share
Measure: Mine production (metric tons)
Niobium Production by Country (2020-2025)
Mine production · Unit: metric tons
| Rank | Country | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e | Share | 5Y Chg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Brazil | 59,800 | 78,700 | 75,600 | 75,000 | 104,000 | 104,000 | 92.9% | +73.9% |
| #2 | Canada | 6,500 | 7,500 | 6,700 | 7,000 | 6,900 | 6,000 | 5.4% | -7.7% |
| #3 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | - | 580 | 710 | 540 | 930 | 970 | 0.9% | - |
| #4 | Russia | - | 450 | 381 | 440 | 300 | 300 | 0.3% | - |
| #5 | Rwanda | - | 158 | 199 | 190 | 210 | 200 | 0.2% | - |
| #6 | China | - | - | - | - | 44 | 40 | 0.0% | - |
| - | World Total | 67,700 | 87,600 | 83,700 | 83,000 | 112,000 | 112,000 | 100.0% | +65.4% |
Niobium Proven Reserves by Country (2025)
Basis: Reserves · Unit: metric tons · Global Implied Reserve Life: 187.5 years
| Rank | Country | Reserves (metric tons) | World Share | USGS Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Brazil | 14,000,000 | - | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #2 | China | 6,500,000 | - | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #3 | Canada | 640,000 | - | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #4 | United States | 210,000 | - | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| #5 | Russia | 3,000 | - | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
| - | World Total Reserves | 21,000,000 | 100.0% | See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. |
U.S. Supply, Consumption & Net Import Reliance (2021-2025)
| Salient Measure | Unit | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niobium (Columbium): Production, mine | metric tons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Niobium (Columbium): Imports for consumption | metric tons | 8,230 | 9,110 | 10,100 | 9,820 | 10,000 |
| Niobium (Columbium): Exports | metric tons | 992 | 667 | 951 | 485 | 420 |
| Niobium (Columbium): Consumption: Apparent | metric tons | 7,240 | 8,440 | 9,100 | 9,340 | 9,900 |
| Niobium (Columbium): Consumption: Reported | metric tons | 6,110 | 7,230 | 7,110 | 6,600 | 6,700 |
| Niobium (Columbium): U.S. Net Import Reliance | % of consumption | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Frequently Asked Questions - Niobium
Which country leads niobium (columbium) production (mine production)?
Brazil leads the 2025 USGS country table for mine production, with 104,000 metric tons (estimated) (92.9% of the reported world total). World output was 112,000 metric tons in 2025.
Which country holds the largest reported niobium reserves?
Brazil ranks first in the USGS reserve table, with 14,000,000 metric tons (Reserves) against a reported world total of >21,000,000 metric tons.
What is US net import reliance and import sourcing for niobium?
In 2025, US net import reliance was reported at 100% (Net import reliance as a percentage of apparent consumption). Across 2021-24, leading US import sources (Niobium and tantalum ores and concentrates) were Australia (62%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (9%), Mozambique (9%).
How is niobium classified on the US Critical Minerals List and what are its primary uses?
Status: Listed on 2025 US List (2022 & 2025 lists). Primary applications cited in USGS summaries include: High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) structural and pipeline steels, jet-engine superalloys, and superconducting magnets. Niobium (columbium) is mined primarily from pyrochlore deposits and converted largely into ferroniobium for steel micro-alloying, with smaller volumes refined into vacuum-grade niobium oxide and metal.