Minerals & Natural Resources
Every mineral tracked in the Magna Factbook — producers, reserves and country rankings.
The Bureau tracks 68 minerals and natural resources across 195 countries — from oil, gas, and coal to cobalt, lithium, rare earths, and gold. Each mineral page ranks the countries that hold it by national power score, showing who controls the resources the world economy runs on.
Which mineral is the most geopolitically important?
Oil remains the most geopolitically important mineral because the global economy still runs on it. But cobalt, lithium, rare earths, gallium, and germanium are rising fast — they power batteries, semiconductors, and weapons, and their supply is concentrated in few hands.
Which country controls the most cobalt?
The Democratic Republic of Congo holds the world's largest cobalt reserves and produces most of the world's supply. China controls much of the refining. The Bureau's cobalt page ranks all 11 countries that list cobalt among their natural resources.
What are rare earths used for?
Rare earths are used in permanent magnets for electric motors and wind turbines, in smartphones, in missile guidance systems, and in laser and radar equipment. China dominates mining and refining, giving it leverage over every country that builds high-tech hardware.
Which countries produce the most lithium?
Australia, Chile, and China lead global lithium production. Lithium is the key ingredient in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and grid storage, making its supply chain a central geopolitical contest.
How does the Bureau rank mineral holders?
Each mineral page ranks the countries that hold it by the Bureau's national power score (0–100), combining economic mass, military capability, institutional position, and more. The ranking shows who has leverage, not just who has reserves.