Selenium

Selenium (Se, atomic number 34) is a nonmetal element recovered mainly as a byproduct of copper refining. It is used in small volumes for metallurgy, glass, electronics, agriculture, and chemical applications.

Selenium has no regulated futures contract. The reference price is the 99.5% selenium powder/granule in-warehouse Rotterdam assessed daily by Fastmarkets. SMM publishes the Chinese 99.9% selenium powder price. Production is by-product of copper anode slimes.

Selenium is not mined as a primary metal; USGS says it is recovered principally from electrolytic copper refining, with the United States producing crude selenium from refineries in Texas and Utah in 2025. For refined selenium, China was the leading producer in 2025 with 53% of estimated global production, while USGS also lists Belgium, Canada, Japan, Russia, Poland, Peru, Mexico, and Finland among major refining countries. (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026) Full breakdown in the production and reserves sections.

Because selenium is chiefly a byproduct, the main producers are copper refiners rather than standalone selenium mines; USGS specifically notes two U.S. primary electrolytic copper refineries in Texas and Utah, and refined selenium production is concentrated in China and other copper-refining countries. Among end-market and supply-chain companies, major names in selenium-related production and processing include copper refiners and smelters such as those operating in the United States, China, and Europe, as reflected in USGS refinery production data. (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026) Full list of producers below.

USGS reports selenium end uses in global consumption in 2025 as metallurgy 40%, agriculture and animal health 20%, glass manufacturing 20%, electronics and photovoltaics 10%, chemicals and pigments 5%, and other applications 5%. The USGS also notes use in thin-film CIGS solar cells, glass decolorization, alloys, photocells, and dietary supplements. (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026)