Lead
Still the workhorse of lead-acid batteries used in vehicles and many backup power systems.
Valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries remain common in data-center UPS systems.
Where it's produced
Share of 2025 world mine production (thousand metric tons). Source: USGS MCS 2026.
Where the reserves are
Share of known economic reserves (thousand metric tons). World total: 95M t. ≈ 21 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.
Lead: key questions
- Where is lead mined or produced?
- According to USGS 2025 data, the largest producers are China (42%), Australia (11%) and Peru (6.4%) of world mine production.
- Is lead a critical mineral?
- Lead appears on 2 of the 10 official lists we track (United States, South Korea).
- Is lead in short supply?
- Our supply status: Adequate. null
- Why does lead matter for AI infrastructure?
- Valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries remain common in data-center UPS systems.
Related minerals
ExplorerAluminum
WatchLight, conductive and recyclable — used in transmission lines, server chassis, heat sinks and building structures. Made from bauxite (Guinea, Australia).
Copper
DeficitThe metal of electrification. Copper wires the grid, the substation, the busbar and the chip — and it is the single largest mineral input to AI infrastructure.
Silver
WatchThe most electrically conductive element — used in solar cells, electrical contacts, brazing and electronics.