Samarium
Forms samarium-cobalt magnets that keep their strength at high temperatures — vital for defense systems.
High-temperature SmCo magnets in specialized motors and sensors.
Among the seven heavy rare earths China placed under export controls in April 2025; China still supplies most separated output.
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.
Samarium: key questions
- Where is samarium 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 samarium a critical mineral?
- Samarium appears on 8 of the 10 official lists we track (United States, European Union, United Kingdom, China, Japan, India, Australia, Canada).
- Is samarium in short supply?
- Our supply status: Tight / restricted. Among the seven heavy rare earths China placed under export controls in April 2025; China still supplies most separated output.
- Why does samarium matter for AI infrastructure?
- High-temperature SmCo magnets in specialized motors and sensors.
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