Magnesium
The lightest structural metal, used in aluminum alloys, die-cast parts and titanium production. China makes ~86% of the metal.
Lightweight alloys in electronics housings and aluminum alloys used across data-center hardware.
China dominates magnesium metal (~86%) and added magnesium materials to export licensing in 2024.
Where it's produced
Share of 2025 world magnesium metal smelter production (thousand metric tons). Source: USGS MCS 2026.
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.
Magnesium: key questions
- Where is magnesium mined or produced?
- According to USGS 2025 data, the largest producers are China (86%), Russia (5.5%) and Brazil (1.8%) of world magnesium metal smelter production.
- Is magnesium a critical mineral?
- Magnesium appears on 8 of the 10 official lists we track (United States, United States (DOE), European Union, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada).
- Is magnesium in short supply?
- Our supply status: Watch. China dominates magnesium metal (~86%) and added magnesium materials to export licensing in 2024.
- Why does magnesium matter for AI infrastructure?
- Lightweight alloys in electronics housings and aluminum alloys used across data-center hardware.
Related minerals
ExplorerBismuth
WatchA heavy, non-toxic metal used in pharmaceuticals, low-melt solders and lead-free alloys. China refines ~88%.
Tungsten
TightThe densest common metal with the highest melting point — used for cutting tools, armor, and as the 'plugs' that connect chip transistors to wiring.
Scandium
TightA tiny market (~80 t/yr) with outsized uses in aluminum-scandium alloys, solid-oxide fuel cells, and ScAlN for 5G RF filters.