Lanthanum
Used in catalysts that refine petroleum, nickel-metal-hydride batteries and high-index optical glass.
Fluid-catalytic-cracking catalysts and optical glass; some hydrogen storage alloys.
Mined alongside other rare earths; China dominates separation (≈85% of refining in 2025).
Where it's produced
Share of 2025 world mine production (rare-earth oxide equivalent) (metric tons) · figures are for Rare earths (total, REO). Source: USGS MCS 2026.
Where the reserves are
Share of known economic reserves (metric tons). World total: 85M t. ≈ 218 years at 2025 output.
Who calls it critical
Membership on each government list. “Strategic” marks a higher tier where the list has one; “group” means included as part of a group such as rare earths or PGMs.
Lanthanum: key questions
- Where is lanthanum mined or produced?
- According to USGS 2025 data, the largest producers are China (69%), United States (13%) and Australia (7.4%) of world mine production (rare-earth oxide equivalent).
- Is lanthanum a critical mineral?
- Lanthanum appears on 9 of the 10 official lists we track (United States, European Union, United Kingdom, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Canada).
- Is lanthanum in short supply?
- Our supply status: Watch. Mined alongside other rare earths; China dominates separation (≈85% of refining in 2025).
- Why does lanthanum matter for AI infrastructure?
- Fluid-catalytic-cracking catalysts and optical glass; some hydrogen storage alloys.
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