Dysprosium (Dy): Uses, Supply Chain and Market
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Dysprosium is a heavy rare earth element used with neodymium in high-strength permanent magnets. USGS reports production only for all rare earths combined: in 2025 China produced an estimated 270,000 t of rare earth oxide equivalent, 69% of the world total (USGS world total: 390,000 t). US net import reliance for dysprosium in 2025 was 100% for heavy rare earth compounds and metals. Dysprosium is on all four official critical minerals lists: the US, EU, Australian and Canadian.
390,000 t
estimated world production of all rare earths combined in 2025
$239/kg
dysprosium oxide, 99.5% minimum, average in 2025 (-7% on 2024)
Which countries produce dysprosium?
| Country | 2024 | 2025 (estimate) | Share of 2025 world | Reserves (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 270,000 | 270,000 | 69% | 44,000,000 |
| United States | 45,500 | 51,000 | 13% | 1,900,000 |
| Australia | 29,000 | 29,000 | 7.4% | 6,300,000 |
| Burma | 27,000 | 22,000 | 5.6% | NA |
| All other countries | 12,500 | 17,310 | 4.4% | NA |
| World total (USGS, rounded) | 380,000 | 390,000 | 100% | >75,000,000 |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Rare earths. Shares are calculated from the country figures and can differ by a point or two from percentages USGS states in its text, because USGS rounds its figures. NA means not available; Withheld means USGS withheld the figure to avoid disclosing company data. USGS reports mine production only for all rare earths combined (as rare earth oxide equivalent), not for individual elements.
What is dysprosium used for?
- Permanent magnets: alloys containing neodymium, samarium, gadolinium, dysprosium or praseodymium (USGS, 2002); high-strength magnets are among the heavy rare earth uses USGS lists
- Other heavy rare earth uses: USGS says heavy rare earths are used in catalysts for petroleum refining, fiber optics, high-strength magnets, industrial and medical lasers, and medical and scientific equipment such as portable X-rays, and that end use varies by element.
How much does dysprosium cost?
USGS reports the average 2025 price of dysprosium at $239/kg (dysprosium oxide, 99.5% minimum, average; -7% on 2024). EarthRarest, our sister business, lists Dy2O3 min. 99.5% / TREO at $2,382.77/kg. Full dysprosium price page.
Is dysprosium a critical mineral?
Dysprosium is on all four official critical minerals lists: the US, EU, Australian and Canadian. Each government builds its list with its own method, so a mineral can be critical in one place and not in another.
| Jurisdiction | Status |
|---|---|
| United States | Critical mineral (final 2025 list) |
| European Union | Critical and strategic |
| Australia | Critical minerals list |
| Canada | Critical (priority) |
Lists last checked against the primary publications on October 12, 2026. See the comparison of all four lists.
Export controls and trade measures
- China has required export licenses for rare earths since 2025. USGS lists this element among those added in the April 2025 measures: samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium.
See the export controls tracker for dates and current status.
What are the substitutes for dysprosium?
Light rare earths can substitute for heavy rare earths, though substitutes are generally less effective. Full dysprosium substitutes page.
Can dysprosium be recycled?
Small quantities of heavy rare earths were recovered from permanent magnets.
What are the supply risks and recent events for dysprosium?
- 2025 to 2026. Lynas first produced separated dysprosium and terbium oxides in its 2025 financial year. Iluka Resources' Eneabba refinery in Western Australia, still under construction, is designed for 750 tons a year of dysprosium-terbium oxide (Lynas and Iluka, August 2026).
- August 2025. The US Department of War provided a rare earths producer at Mountain Pass, California with a $150 million direct loan to build a heavy rare earths separation facility. In 2025 it also lent $80 million to a recycler in Marion, Indiana and awarded $5.1 million to a recycler in Houston to recover rare earths including terbium and dysprosium.
- October to November 2025. An Australian producer announced its intent to build a facility in Malaysia to separate heavy rare earths including terbium, dysprosium and lutetium. A mine in Brazil produced mixed concentrates from ionic clays with elevated terbium and dysprosium, and in November the US International Development Finance Corporation approved a $465 million loan to the company to increase heavy rare earth production.
- April to November 2025. China added dysprosium to its export controls in April 2025 and in early October expanded them to all heavy rare earths, then suspended the October expansion for a year in November. The April controls remained in effect, although China began issuing general licenses to selected exporters.
Which companies produce or process dysprosium?
| Company | Country | Role | What the source says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynas Rare Earths | Australia and Malaysia | Rare earth miner and separator, producing separated dysprosium oxide (ASX: LYC) | Its 2026 annual report says dysprosium and terbium oxides were first produced in FY25 and first shipped to customers during FY26, and that it offers them at a price reflecting demand outside China rather than the China-based market index. It calls itself the only commercial producer of light and heavy rare earth oxides outside China, which is its own claim. Lynas Rare Earths: 2026 Annual Report and Appendix 4E (26 August 2026) |
| Iluka Resources | Australia | Developer of the Eneabba rare earth refinery (ASX: ILU) | Its August 2026 half-year presentation gives the Eneabba refinery a design capacity of 750 tonnes a year of dysprosium-terbium oxide and 5,500 tonnes of NdPr oxide, says construction is 60% complete with commissioning in 2027, and shows illustrative feed blends giving from about 180 to 750 tonnes a year of dysprosium-terbium oxide. Iluka Resources: 2026 half year results presentation (19 August 2026) |
| Energy Fuels | United States | Uranium and rare earth producer piloting heavy rare earths at White Mesa (NYSE American: UUUU) | Its 10-Q says the Mill has produced separated NdPr at commercial scale and on-spec dysprosium oxide and terbium oxide at pilot scale. Energy Fuels, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 |
| MP Materials | United States | Rare earth miner and refiner at Mountain Pass (NYSE: MP) | Its 10-Q says its Department of War agreements include plans to extend its heavy rare earth refining capability at Mountain Pass. MP Materials, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 |
| Neo Performance Materials | Canada (Silmet plant in Estonia) | Rare earth separator and magnet maker (TSX: NEO) | Its 10 April 2026 release says a small-scale heavy rare earth solvent extraction line at Silmet made its first separated dysprosium and terbium process solutions from mixed rare earth carbonate, and is operating at nameplate capacity while it works toward stable product purity. Neo Performance Materials: heavy rare earth line commissioned at Silmet (10 April 2026) |
| Solvay | France (La Rochelle) | Rare earth separator | Its July 2026 financial report says it will begin industrial-scale separation of dysprosium and terbium at La Rochelle in autumn 2026 and has approved an extra €15-20 million to expand the site's separation capacity. Solvay: second quarter and first half 2026 financial report (29 July 2026) |
| Northern Minerals | Australia | Developer of the Browns Range heavy rare earth project (ASX: NTU) | Its September 2025 feasibility study presentation describes about 4,350 tonnes a year of total rare earth oxide in concentrate over 11 years, with about 70% of the basket value in dysprosium and terbium, for supply to Iluka's Eneabba refinery. It adds that the dates for satisfying conditions of the Iluka supply agreement had passed and the parties were discussing them. Northern Minerals: Browns Range feasibility study presentation (15 September 2025) |
| Aclara Resources | Canada (Carina project in Brazil) | Developer of an ionic clay heavy rare earth project (TSX: ARA) | Its April 2026 technical report release expects the Carina project to produce an average of 156 tonnes a year of dysprosium in a mixed rare earth carbonate over an 18-year mine life, to be separated at its planned Project Dynamo in Louisiana. Aclara Resources: release on the Carina and Project Dynamo technical reports (13 April 2026) |
| NioCorp Developments | United States (Elk Creek, Nebraska) | Developer of a niobium, scandium and titanium project with rare earth by-products (Nasdaq: NB) | Its project page lists dysprosium oxide among the products expected from Elk Creek, based on its 2026 technical report. NioCorp: Elk Creek project page (2026 technical report of 10 August 2026) |
| China Northern Rare Earth | China | Rare earth producer (SSE: 600111) | Its 2025 annual report, in Chinese, lists dysprosium oxide among its main products, for alloys, magnetic materials and phosphors. China Northern Rare Earth: 2025 annual report, in Chinese (17 April 2026) |
| Xiamen Tungsten | China | Magnet maker, a user of dysprosium (SSE: 600549) | Its 2025 annual report, in Chinese, quotes Baiinfo data that China produced 3,165 tonnes of dysprosium oxide in 2025, down 12.1%, at an average price of 1.616 million yuan a tonne, and says it is developing magnet grades without heavy rare earths. Xiamen Tungsten: 2025 annual report, in Chinese (24 April 2026) |
Each row links to the document that supports it. The list is not exhaustive and is not a ranking.
Frequently asked questions
What is dysprosium used for?
Dysprosium is used in permanent magnets and other heavy rare earth uses. Permanent magnets: alloys containing neodymium, samarium, gadolinium, dysprosium or praseodymium (USGS, 2002); high-strength magnets are among the heavy rare earth uses USGS lists.
Which country produces the most dysprosium?
USGS does not report dysprosium separately; China produced the most rare earths of any country in 2025, an estimated 270,000 t (69%) of the world's 390,000 t of rare earth oxide equivalent.
Is dysprosium a critical mineral?
Yes. Dysprosium is on all four official critical minerals lists: the US, EU, Australian and Canadian. Dysprosium was already on the 2022 US list and stays on the final 2025 list of 60 minerals. US net import reliance for dysprosium in 2025 was 100% for heavy rare earth compounds and metals.
How much does dysprosium cost?
USGS reports the average 2025 price of dysprosium at $239/kg (dysprosium oxide, 99.5% minimum, average; -7% on 2024). EarthRarest, our sister business, lists Dy2O3 min. 99.5% / TREO at $2,382.77/kg (25 kg oxide drums), read on October 14, 2026; a dealer list price covers one grade and pack size and is not a market benchmark.
Sources
Read on October 13, 2026. Figures on this page come from these documents; where a number is an estimate, the source says so.
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Rare earths. Production, reserves, uses, substitutes, recycling and events
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Rare earths (heavy)
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: introduction (Table 7 and Figures 10A and 10B). Net import reliance, leading producer and price changes for critical minerals
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: introduction (Table 4, export controls by country)
- Lynas Rare Earths: 2026 Annual Report and Appendix 4E (26 August 2026). Company statements on its heavy rare earth products and plans
- Iluka Resources: 2026 Half Year Results presentation (19 August 2026). Company statements on the Eneabba refinery design
- USGS Fact Sheet 087-02: Rare Earth Elements, Critical Resources for High Technology (2002). Used for the uses of individual elements; it dates from 2002
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1252, Annex I. Lists neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, dysprosium, gadolinium, samarium and cerium as rare earths for permanent magnets
- Federal Register: Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2024/1252
- Department of Industry, Science and Resources: Australia’s Critical Minerals List and Strategic Materials List
- Government of Canada: Canada’s critical minerals
- EarthRarest price list. Dealer list price, read October 14, 2026; our sister business
- Energy Fuels, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026
- MP Materials, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026
- Neo Performance Materials: heavy rare earth line commissioned at Silmet (10 April 2026)
- Solvay: second quarter and first half 2026 financial report (29 July 2026)
- Northern Minerals: Browns Range feasibility study presentation (15 September 2025)
- Aclara Resources: release on the Carina and Project Dynamo technical reports (13 April 2026)
- NioCorp: Elk Creek project page (2026 technical report of 10 August 2026)
- China Northern Rare Earth: 2025 annual report, in Chinese (17 April 2026)
- Xiamen Tungsten: 2025 annual report, in Chinese (24 April 2026)
Related topics
Dysprosium price
The price page for dysprosium.
Dysprosium substitutes
The substitutes page for dysprosium.
China profile
Production, policy and projects in China.
Critical Minerals Lists Compared
The US, EU, Australian and Canadian lists side by side.
Export Controls and Restrictions
China, Indonesia, DR Congo and other measures with dates.
The 17 Rare Earth Elements
Every rare earth with its group, price and control status.
