Neodymium
The 'Nd' in NdFeB magnets inside EV motors, wind turbines, speakers and hard drives.
Permanent magnets in hard-disk drives, cooling fans, pumps and chiller motors; wind turbines supplying renewable PPAs.
China dominates NdPr separation and magnets; a 10-year US price floor of $110/kg backs domestic NdPr 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.
Neodymium: key questions
- Where is neodymium 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 neodymium a critical mineral?
- Neodymium appears on 10 of the 10 official lists we track (United States, United States (DOE), European Union, United Kingdom, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Canada).
- Is neodymium in short supply?
- Our supply status: Tight / restricted. China dominates NdPr separation and magnets; a 10-year US price floor of $110/kg backs domestic NdPr output.
- Why does neodymium matter for AI infrastructure?
- Permanent magnets in hard-disk drives, cooling fans, pumps and chiller motors; wind turbines supplying renewable PPAs.
Related minerals
ExplorerYttrium
TightUsed in YAG lasers, phosphors, thermal-barrier coatings and yttria-stabilized zirconia.
Praseodymium
TightPartners with neodymium in NdPr magnets — the strongest permanent magnets made.
Samarium
TightForms samarium-cobalt magnets that keep their strength at high temperatures — vital for defense systems.