Gadolinium
Used in MRI contrast agents, nuclear control and magnet alloys.
Additive in magnets and in some memory and sensor research.
Among the seven heavy rare earths China placed under export controls in April 2025; China still supplies most separated output.
Where it's produced
Share of 2025 world mine production (rare-earth oxide equivalent) (metric tons) · figures are for Rare earths (total, REO). Source: USGS MCS 2026.
Where the reserves are
Share of known economic reserves (metric tons). World total: 85M t. ≈ 218 years at 2025 output.
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.
Gadolinium: key questions
- Where is gadolinium mined or produced?
- According to USGS 2025 data, the largest producers are China (69%), United States (13%) and Australia (7.4%) of world mine production (rare-earth oxide equivalent).
- Is gadolinium a critical mineral?
- Gadolinium appears on 8 of the 10 official lists we track (United States, European Union, United Kingdom, China, Japan, India, Australia, Canada).
- Is gadolinium in short supply?
- Our supply status: Tight / restricted. Among the seven heavy rare earths China placed under export controls in April 2025; China still supplies most separated output.
- Why does gadolinium matter for AI infrastructure?
- Additive in magnets and in some memory and sensor research.
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