Bismuth
A heavy, non-toxic metal used in pharmaceuticals, low-melt solders and lead-free alloys. China refines ~88%.
Low-temperature bismuth-tin solders for assembling heat-sensitive electronics; bismuth telluride thermoelectric coolers.
China added bismuth to export licensing in 2025 and refines ~88% of supply.
Where it's produced
Share of 2025 world refinery production (metric tons). Source: USGS MCS 2026.
Who calls it critical
Membership on each government list. “Strategic” marks a higher tier where the list has one; “group” means included as part of a group such as rare earths or PGMs.
Bismuth: key questions
- Where is bismuth mined or produced?
- According to USGS 2025 data, the largest producers are China (88%), South Korea (6.3%) and Japan (3.1%) of world refinery production.
- Is bismuth a critical mineral?
- Bismuth appears on 8 of the 10 official lists we track (United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Canada).
- Is bismuth in short supply?
- Our supply status: Watch. China added bismuth to export licensing in 2025 and refines ~88% of supply.
- Why does bismuth matter for AI infrastructure?
- Low-temperature bismuth-tin solders for assembling heat-sensitive electronics; bismuth telluride thermoelectric coolers.
Related minerals
ExplorerTungsten
TightThe densest common metal with the highest melting point — used for cutting tools, armor, and as the 'plugs' that connect chip transistors to wiring.
Magnesium
WatchThe lightest structural metal, used in aluminum alloys, die-cast parts and titanium production. China makes ~86% of the metal.
Scandium
TightA tiny market (~80 t/yr) with outsized uses in aluminum-scandium alloys, solid-oxide fuel cells, and ScAlN for 5G RF filters.