Vietnam is one of the top six countries controlling approximately four-fifths of the world's discovered rare earth reserves, following China, Brazil, India, Australia, and Russia.
Data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) highlights the uneven distribution of these resources, which are concentrated primarily within a handful of nations.
As of January 2025, China remains the global leader with estimated reserves of 44 million tons, accounting for 48% of the global total of 91.9 million tons.
Brazil ranks second with 21 million tons, or 23%. While it holds massive deposits, they remain in the early stages of extraction. Despite its vast reserves, the South American nation currently contributes less than 1% to global rare earth production.
Rounding out the list are India (6.9 million tons), Australia (5.7 million tons), Russia (3.8 million tons), and Vietnam (3.5 million tons).
Rare earth elements are considered the backbone of modern technology, essential for components ranging from electric vehicle motors and wind turbines to smartphones and precision guidance systems.
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