Palladium
Mostly used in gasoline catalytic converters, but also in multilayer ceramic capacitors and electronic plating. Russia and South Africa dominate.
Palladium electrodes and plating in multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) and connectors on server boards.
Russia (~44%) and South Africa (~37%) together supply most mined palladium.
Where it's produced
Share of 2025 world mine production (kilograms) · figures are for Reserves are for all platinum-group metals combined. Source: USGS MCS 2026.
Where the reserves are
Share of known economic reserves (kilograms). World total: 76k t. ≈ 400 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.
Palladium: key questions
- Where is palladium mined or produced?
- According to USGS 2025 data, the largest producers are Russia (44%), South Africa (37%) and Canada (8.4%) of world mine production.
- Is palladium a critical mineral?
- Palladium appears on 7 of the 10 official lists we track (United States, European Union, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Canada).
- Is palladium in short supply?
- Our supply status: Watch. Russia (~44%) and South Africa (~37%) together supply most mined palladium.
- Why does palladium matter for AI infrastructure?
- Palladium electrodes and plating in multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) and connectors on server boards.
Related minerals
ExplorerRhodium
WatchThe rarest and often priciest PGM, used in catalytic converters and glass-fiber bushings.
Platinum
WatchA precious catalyst metal for vehicle exhausts, hydrogen fuel cells and glass-fiber production. South Africa supplies ~71%.
Iridium
WatchThe most corrosion-resistant metal, critical for PEM electrolyzers that make green hydrogen and for crucibles that grow crystals.