China's Monopoly on Critical Minerals

China dominates the global production of critical minerals, particularly in the processing and refining stages. For several key resources, Beijing's share of worldwide mining or production reaches or exceeds 60 percent, giving it unparalleled influence over industries ranging from renewable energy to defense technology. The dominance is not just economic, but also geopolitical, shaping supply chains, trade policies and technological competition.

As revealed by data from the Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025 published by the U.S. Geological Survey, in 2024, China controlled over 90 percent of the production of key components in electronics like gallium and magnesium (refinery production). In addition, Beijing produced that year almost 80 percent of the global natural graphite, mainly used in battery technology, and almost 70 percent of the world's rare earth elements, vital for permanent magnets in electric vehicles and wind technology. Finally, the country currently contributes to more than 60 percent of the global titanium mining and aluminum smelter production.