How Magnesium Is Mined and Processed
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Magnesium metal is a lightweight structural metal used mostly in castings for the automotive industry and in aluminum alloys. In 2025 China produced an estimated 950 kt, 86% of world smelter production (USGS world total: 1,100 kt), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
86%
of world smelter production came from China in 2025
$3.20/lb
US spot Western, annual average in 2025 (-9% on 2024)
Which countries produce magnesium?
| Country | 2024 | 2025 (estimate) | Share of 2025 world |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 953 | 950 | 86% |
| Russia | 59 | 60 | 5.5% |
| Brazil | 20 | 20 | 1.8% |
| Israel | 17 | 20 | 1.8% |
| Turkey | 15 | 15 | 1.4% |
| Kazakhstan | 15 | 13 | 1.2% |
| Iran | 5 | 5 | 0.5% |
| United States | None | None | - |
| World total (USGS, rounded) | 1,080 | 1,100 | 100% |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Magnesium metal. 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.
How is magnesium mined and processed?
- The only US primary magnesium smelter, in Utah, recovered magnesium from Great Salt Lake brines by an electrolytic process. Production stopped in 2022 and the operator filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2025.
- Secondary magnesium is recovered from scrap at smelters that produce magnesium ingot and castings, and from aluminum alloy scrap at secondary aluminum smelters.
- USGS puts world smelter capacity at 1,800 thousand tons in 2025, of which China has 1,480 thousand tons, Russia 81, the United States 64, Israel 34, Kazakhstan 21 and Brazil 22.
- A California company is developing a pilot plant to produce magnesium metal from brines and announced plans in December 2025 for a commercial phase 1 plant in southwestern Arkansas.
Resources. Resources from which magnesium may be recovered range from large to virtually unlimited and are widespread. Dolomite, serpentine and magnesium-bearing evaporite minerals are enormous, magnesium-bearing brines are a resource in the billions of tons, and magnesium could be recovered from seawater.
Frequently asked questions
Which country produces the most magnesium?
China produces the most magnesium: an estimated 950 kt, or 86% of the world total, in 2025, according to the USGS smelter production figures.
What is magnesium used for?
Magnesium is used in castings, principally for the automotive industry, aluminum-base alloys and desulfurization of iron and steel. Castings, principally for the automotive industry: 69% of US primary magnesium consumption in 2025.
Is magnesium a critical mineral?
Yes. Magnesium is on all four official critical minerals lists: the US, EU, Australian and Canadian. Magnesium was already on the 2022 US list and stays on the final 2025 list of 60 minerals. US net import reliance for magnesium in 2025 was more than 75%.
Can magnesium be recycled?
About 26,000 tons of secondary magnesium was recovered from old scrap and 82,000 tons from new scrap in 2025. Aluminum-base alloys took about 53% of it and magnesium-based castings, ingot and other materials about 47%.
Sources
Read on October 14, 2026. Figures on this page come from these documents; where a number is an estimate, the source says so.
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Magnesium metal. Production, reserves, uses, substitutes, recycling and events
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: introduction (Table 7 and Figures 10A and 10B). Net import reliance, leading producer and price changes for critical minerals
- 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
- Baowu Magnesium Technology: 2025 annual report, in Chinese (29 April 2026)
- TETRA Technologies and Magrathea Metals: magnesium joint venture term sheet (2 December 2025)
Related topics
Magnesium: full profile
Uses, producers, price, substitutes and critical list status for magnesium.
Magnesium substitutes
The substitutes page for magnesium.
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.
Aluminum
Profile of aluminum.
