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Rhenium

★ US Critical Mineral 2025Refractory Metal
Re · Refractory Metal · 10 producing countries · 10 major producers

Prices

No single exchange-settled price exists for rhenium. Trade settles over-the-counter against benchmarks published by independent price-reporting agencies. We do not republish those numbers — consult the publishers directly:

Asian Metal ↗
Daily benchmark quotations for rhenium from Asian producers (subscription).
Fastmarkets ↗
Industry benchmark prices, market reports, and price discovery for rhenium.
Shanghai Metals Market ↗
Real-time and historical Chinese spot prices for rhenium.
USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 ↗
Annual U.S. Geological Survey reference — production, reserves, prices, and trade statistics for rhenium.

About Rhenium

Editorial overview

What is rhenium?

Rhenium (Re, atomic number 75) is a rare, very high-melting transition metal used mainly where extreme heat and catalyst performance matter. It is a byproduct metal recovered mostly from copper-molybdenum ores and from recycling of superalloys and catalysts. USGS MCS 2026

How rhenium is priced

Rhenium has no regulated futures contract. The reference is the ammonium perrhenate (APR) free-market price assessed daily by Fastmarkets and Argus Media. Most rhenium is sold on long-term bilateral contracts between primary producers (KGHM, Molymet, Freeport) and superalloy customers (GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce).

Where rhenium comes from

According to USGS MCS 2026, the leading mine-production countries in 2025 were Chile (30,000 kg), the United States (9,800 kg), Poland (10,000 kg), China (20,000 kg), and Uzbekistan (7,000 kg), with world production estimated at 81,000 kg. The USGS notes that most rhenium occurs with molybdenum in porphyry copper deposits and is also recovered from copper-smelter residues in several countries. USGS MCS 2026 Full breakdown in the production and reserves sections.

Who produces rhenium

Rhenium is produced as a byproduct of copper-molybdenum and molybdenum processing; the USGS specifically identifies U.S. primary production from roasting molybdenum concentrates in Arizona and Montana, while noting secondary recovery from superalloy scrap and spent catalysts. Major country-level producers cited by the USGS include Chile, the United States, Poland, China, Uzbekistan, the Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan, and Armenia. USGS MCS 2026 Full list of producers below.

What rhenium is used for

The main uses of rhenium are superalloys for high-temperature turbine-engine components and petroleum-reforming catalysts, at an estimated 80% and 15% of end uses, respectively, according to USGS MCS 2026. The USGS also notes medical implants as a growing end use alongside aerospace and petroleum refining catalysts. USGS MCS 2026

Key facts about rhenium supply

  • USGS MCS 2026: U.S. estimated primary rhenium production rose 5% to 9,800 kg in 2025 from 9,310 kg in 2024.
  • USGS MCS 2026: world rhenium production in 2025 was estimated at 81,000 kg, up 1% from 79,800 kg in 2024.
  • USGS MCS 2026: U.S. net import reliance was 75% of apparent consumption in 2025.
  • USGS MCS 2026: world reserves were listed as Large, and identified U.S. resources are estimated at about 7 million kg.
  • USGS MCS 2026: the main uses were superalloys at 80% and petroleum-reforming catalysts at 15% of end uses; recycling from superalloy scrap and spent catalysts remains important.

Sources: USGS MCS 2026 Rhenium PDF, Johnson Matthey 2026 PGM market report, Freeport-McMoRan, Codelco

Mine Production by Country

Source: USGS MCS 2026
Country20242025Reserves
United States9,3109,800400,000
Armenia20020095,000
Chile29,00030,0001,300,000
China20,00020,000200,000
Kazakhstan1,5001,000190,000
Korea, Republic of3,0003,000NA
Poland9,40010,000NA
RussiaNANA310,000
Uzbekistan7,4007,000NA
World total (rounded)79,80081,000Large

Unit: kilograms. "e" = estimated, "W" = withheld, "NA" = not available. Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026

Reserves by Country (Top 10)

Source: USGS MCS 2026
CountryReserves (kilograms)
Chile 1,300,000
United States 400,000
Russia 310,000
China 200,000
Kazakhstan 190,000
Armenia 95,000
Korea, Republic of NA
Poland NA
Uzbekistan NA
World TotalLarge

Major Producers (10)

Zhezkazgansirekmet Republican Copper Company (Kazakhstan)
Kazakhstan
Subsidiary → KASE:KZMS
Various Chinese producers
China
SSE:600111
Germany
Subsidiary → TSE:5711

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Frequently Asked Questions

Auto-generated from primary-source data
Which countries produce the most rhenium?
The largest rhenium producing countries are Chile (29,000 kilograms), China (20,000 kilograms), Poland (9,400 kilograms). Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026.
Which countries hold the largest rhenium reserves?
The countries with the largest reported rhenium reserves are Chile (1,300,000 kilograms), United States (400,000 kilograms), Russia (310,000 kilograms). Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026.
Who are the largest global producers of rhenium?
Among 780+ producers tracked on TSM Hub, the largest disclosed rhenium producers include Molibdenos y Metales S.A. (Molymet) (Chile), KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. (KGHM Ecoren S.A.) (Poland), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. / Climax Molybdenum (Henderson and Climax mines, Colorado) (USA). Full ranking with primary-source links is available in the producers section.
What is the primary source for rhenium production and reserves data?
Country-level rhenium production and reserves figures on TSM Hub are sourced directly from the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, the U.S. Geological Survey's authoritative annual reference. Company-level production figures come from each producer's official annual report, production report, or regulated exchange filing.

Data Sources

Production and reserves data: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026

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