China Still Dominates Critical Mineral Refining in 2030

By Cody Good – Visual Capitalist Elements

China is projected to have the largest share (60%) of global refined critical mineral supply by 2030.

By 2030, China will play a dominant role in lithium, rare earth elements (REEs), cobalt, and graphite, controlling nearly 60% of all critical mineral refining. Such concentrated processing capacity offers efficiencies that may lower costs but heightens geopolitical risk for downstream buyers.

It also leaves limited room for late-moving countries looking to gain share without major capital commitments.