Tellurium
About Tellurium
Tellurium is a rare metalloid most critically used in cadmium telluride thin-film solar panels manufactured by companies like First Solar. It is one of the rarest elements in the Earth's crust and is produced almost exclusively as a byproduct of copper refining. Growing solar energy deployment is significantly increasing tellurium demand while supply remains constrained by copper production volumes.
Primary Uses
Top Producing Countries
Quick Facts
- Symbol
- Te
- Atomic Number
- 52
- Category
- Technology Metal
- Criticality Level
- High
- Supply Risk
- High
- Top Producer
- China
- USGS Critical List
- Listed
- EU CRM List
- Not Listed
Explore Tellurium In Depth
Dive into detailed analysis across 11 key topics covering every aspect of the Tellurium value chain.
Uses & Applications
Discover the primary industrial, technological, and commercial applications of Tellurium across key sectors.
Supply Chain
Trace the Tellurium supply chain from mine to market, including key intermediaries, processing hubs, and trade flows.
Mining & Processing
Learn how Tellurium is extracted, concentrated, and processed into usable forms for downstream industries.
Refining & Grade Specs
Explore the refining methods, purity grades, and technical specifications that define Tellurium products.
Recycling
Assess the recycling potential, current recovery rates, and circular economy opportunities for Tellurium.
Substitutes
Evaluate possible substitutes and alternative materials that could reduce dependence on Tellurium.
Investing
Understand the investment landscape for Tellurium, including equities, ETFs, futures, and direct exposure strategies.
Price
Analyze Tellurium pricing mechanisms, historical trends, benchmarks, and the factors that drive market volatility.
Companies
Identify the major miners, processors, and technology companies involved in the Tellurium value chain.
Projects
Review the significant mining and processing projects shaping the future supply of Tellurium worldwide.
Risks
Examine the supply risks, geopolitical vulnerabilities, and strategic concerns associated with Tellurium.
Return to the full Mineral Library to explore other critical and strategic minerals.