All fact sheets · The Strata Memo
Niobium
Hover, focus or tap to see the real thing
Photo Alchemist-hp ( talk ) ( www.pse-mendelejew.de ). “Niobium crystals and 1cm3 cube.jpg.” FAL. Wikimedia Commons. File page
Chemical details
- State at room conditions
- Solid
- Melting point
- 2,750 K (2,477 °C)
- Boiling point
- 5,017 K (4,744 °C)
- Density
- 8.57 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +5, +3
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.6
- Atomic radius
- 207 pm
- First ionization energy
- 6.759 eV
- Discovered
- 1801
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine, PubChem, Periodic Table of Elements (element Niobium) (current at retrieval)
On the USGS 2025 List of Critical Minerals. Figures: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 (data release, public domain). Estimates are USGS's; check the USGS chapter for notes. Each panel names its source; full citations are in the methodology source register.
Overview
The headline numbers: how much the U.S. depends on imports and how concentrated supply is.
How much does the U.S. import?
of U.S. niobium use was met by imports in 2025 (USGS net import reliance).
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Niobium (Columbium) (February 2026)
Did you know?
Niobium is named after Niobe, the daughter of Tantalus (for whom tantalum is named), because the two elements are so similar.
Checked against two independent sources. Verified 2026-10-26.
Sources: Wikipedia · Los Alamos National Laboratory periodic table (Wikipedia text is CC BY-SA)
How concentrated is supply?
99% of world production comes from three countries (Brazil, Canada, Congo (Kinshasa)). Highly concentrated.
Thirds of the bar: under 33%, 33 to 65%, 66% and over. Our own rule of thumb, not a USGS rating.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Niobium (Columbium) (February 2026)
Supply
Who produces it, where the reserves are, where U.S. imports come from, and how U.S. supply has moved.
Who has it, and who digs it?
Where it is produced, 2025
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 93% |
| Canada | 5% |
| Congo (Kinshasa) | 1% |
| Russia | 0% |
| Rwanda | 0% |
| China | 0% |
Where the reserves are
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 66% |
| China | 30% |
| Canada | 3% |
| United States | 1% |
| Russia | 0% |
Share of the world total as printed by USGS (rounded). Production and reserves are different things: reserves are what is economic to mine. Hover or focus a bar for its value, or switch to the table view.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Niobium (Columbium) (February 2026)
Where U.S. imports come from
Choose a data set, then a view. A country keeps the same color in every chart on this page. Grey means other countries, or a country beyond the seven colors (always labeled). Hover or focus a mark for its value, or use the table view.
- Australia62%
- Congo (Kinshasa)9%
- Mozambique9%
- United Arab Emirates5%
- Other countries15%
| Country | Share of U.S. imports | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 62% | 62.0% |
| Congo (Kinshasa) | 9% | 9.0% |
| Mozambique | 9% | 9.0% |
| United Arab Emirates | 5% | 5.0% |
| Other countries | 15% | 15.0% |
Average share of U.S. imports of niobium and tantalum ores and concentrates, 2021–24, as printed by USGS (rounded, so shares may not sum to 100). Other countries are USGS's own grouping.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Niobium (Columbium) (February 2026)
- Brazil89%
- Estonia4%
- Thailand4%
- Other countries3%
| Country | Share of U.S. imports | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 89% | 89.0% |
| Estonia | 4% | 4.0% |
| Thailand | 4% | 4.0% |
| Other countries | 3% | 3.0% |
Average share of U.S. imports of niobium oxide, 2021–24, as printed by USGS (rounded, so shares may not sum to 100). Other countries are USGS's own grouping.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Niobium (Columbium) (February 2026)
- Brazil65%
- Canada31%
- Other countries4%
| Country | Share of U.S. imports | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 65% | 65.0% |
| Canada | 31% | 31.0% |
| Other countries | 4% | 4.0% |
Average share of U.S. imports of ferroniobium and niobium metal, 2021–24, as printed by USGS (rounded, so shares may not sum to 100). Other countries are USGS's own grouping.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Niobium (Columbium) (February 2026)
- Brazil67%
- Canada28%
- Other countries5%
| Country | Share of U.S. imports | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 67% | 67.0% |
| Canada | 28% | 28.0% |
| Other countries | 5% | 5.0% |
Average share of U.S. imports of total imports, 2021–24, as printed by USGS (rounded, so shares may not sum to 100). Other countries are USGS's own grouping.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Niobium (Columbium) (February 2026)
- Australia91% · $45.7M
- Mozambique3% · $1.4M
- Singapore2% · $914K
- Taiwan1% · $681K
- Canada1% · $657K
- Mexico1% · $533K
| Country | U.S. imports, 2025 | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 91% · $45.7M | 91.6% |
| Mozambique | 3% · $1.4M | 2.8% |
| Singapore | 2% · $914K | 1.8% |
| Taiwan | 1% · $681K | 1.4% |
| Canada | 1% · $657K | 1.3% |
| Mexico | 1% · $533K | 1.1% |
U.S. general imports (customs value) in calendar 2025 under HS 2615.90; countries beyond the top six are grouped. The code can include goods beyond this mineral. The Shift view compares each country's share of 2025 with its share of Jan to Aug 2026 (shares of each period's total).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API: U.S. imports by HS code and country (calendar 2025; Jan to Aug 2026) (data months 2025-12, 2026-08)
- Brazil68% · $220.6M
- Canada31% · $101.5M
- Switzerland0% · $573K
- United Kingdom0% · $557K
| Country | U.S. imports, 2025 | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 68% · $220.6M | 68.2% |
| Canada | 31% · $101.5M | 31.4% |
| Switzerland | 0% · $573K | 0.2% |
| United Kingdom | 0% · $557K | 0.2% |
U.S. general imports (customs value) in calendar 2025 under HS 7202.93; countries beyond the top six are grouped. The code can include goods beyond this mineral. The Shift view compares each country's share of 2025 with its share of Jan to Aug 2026 (shares of each period's total).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API: U.S. imports by HS code and country (calendar 2025; Jan to Aug 2026) (data months 2025-12, 2026-08)
Price
Price, average unit value, ferroniobium, dollars per kilogram
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Niobium (Columbium) (February 2026)
Trade and tariffs
Tariff codes and the countries behind U.S. imports and exports.
Trade codes and tariffs
| HTS code | What it covers | Normal rate | Column 2 rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2615.90 | Niobium (columbium), tantalum, vanadium or zirconium ores and concentrates: Other | Free | Free to 30% |
| 7202.93 | Ferroniobium | 5% | 25% |
Rates from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (USITC, saved 2026-10-26). The normal rate is column 1 general; column 2 applies to countries without normal trade relations. A range means different products under the code have different rates. Section 232, Section 301, emergency tariffs and antidumping or countervailing duties are set in separate notices and are not shown. Look up any code at hts.usitc.gov. These are the main codes for this mineral, not a complete list.
Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, general and column 2 rates (edition current when saved)
U.S. trade by country
U.S. imports in 2025 by source country, code 7202.93
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 68% · $220.6M |
| Canada | 31% · $101.5M |
| Switzerland | 0% · $573K |
| United Kingdom | 0% · $557K |
U.S. exports in 2025 by destination, code 7202.93
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 46% · $5.6M |
| Canada | 39% · $4.8M |
| Belgium | 5% · $621K |
| China | 5% · $576K |
| India | 4% · $527K |
| Sweden | 0% · $14K |
2615.90 Niobium, tantalum & vanadium ores & concentrates
Top import sources Australia 91%, Mozambique 3%, Singapore 2%
Top export destinations China 62%, Thailand 15%, Taiwan 10%
7202.93 Ferroniobium
Top import sources Brazil 68%, Canada 31%, Switzerland 0%
Top export destinations Mexico 46%, Canada 39%, Belgium 5%
U.S. Census Bureau International Trade API, saved 2026-10-26. Imports are general imports (customs value) and exports are total exports, in U.S. dollars. Duty collected is Census's calculated duty on imports for consumption. Figures cover every 10-digit product under the code, so they can include goods beyond this mineral, and the duty shown is not split into Section 232, Section 301 or antidumping duties. Bars show the largest code for each direction. Group rows such as the EU or OECD are left out so no country is counted twice.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API: U.S. imports and exports by HS code and country (calendar 2025, and January to Aug 2026) (data months 2025-12, 2026-08)
Value chain and risk
Where in the chain the bottlenecks sit, and what other governments and sources say about supply risk.
Value chain: where the bottlenecks are
Mining bottleneck
The United States has reported no significant niobium mine production since 1959; Brazil produces about 93% of the world's niobium and Canada 5%. (no U.S. activity)
The source says
“Significant U.S. niobium mine production has not been reported since 1959.”
“Brazil continued to be the world’s leading niobium producer, accounting for approximately 93% of global production, followed by Canada with 5%.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Niobium (Columbium) (PDF page 138) (2026-02)
Ore processing and primary recovery
The United States reports no significant niobium mine production since 1959, and only about 1% of its niobium imports (by niobium content) were ores and concentrates, against 68% ferroniobium. (no U.S. activity)
The source says
“Significant U.S. niobium mine production has not been reported since 1959.”
“Of U.S. niobium material imports (by niobium content), 68% was ferroniobium, 22% was niobium metal, 9% was niobium oxide, and 1% was niobium ores and concentrates.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Niobium (Columbium) (PDF page 138) (2026-02)
Refining and separation bottleneck
A Nebraska niobium, scandium and titanium project was still seeking financing in 2025; once operating it would be the only U.S. niobium mine and primary niobium-processing facility. (no U.S. activity)
The source says
“One domestic company developing its niobium, scandium, and titanium project in Nebraska continued to secure financing in 2025.”
“Once operational, the site would be the only niobium mine and primary niobium-processing facility in the United States.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Niobium (Columbium) (PDF page 138) (2026-02)
Metal, alloy and chemical bottleneck
U.S. companies make niobium materials from imported concentrates, oxides and ferroniobium; niobium oxide imports came 89% from Brazil and all niobium imports 67% from Brazil (2021-24). (partly U.S.)
The source says
“Companies in the United States produced niobium-containing materials from imported niobium concentrates, oxides, and ferroniobium.”
“Niobium oxide: Brazil, 89%; Estonia, 4%; Thailand, 4%; and other, 3%.”
“Total imports: Brazil, 67%; Canada, 28%; and other, 5%.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Niobium (Columbium) (PDF page 138) (2026-02)
Components and end use
Steels took about 77% of U.S. niobium and superalloys about 23%. (U.S. role not stated)
The source says
“Major end-use distribution of domestic niobium consumption was estimated as follows: steels, about 77%, and superalloys, about 23%.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Niobium (Columbium) (PDF page 138) (2026-02)
Recycling
Niobium is recycled with steels and superalloys; the amount is unknown but may be as much as 20% of apparent consumption. (partly U.S.)
The source says
“Niobium was recycled when niobium-bearing steels and superalloys were recycled; scrap recovery, specifically for niobium content, was negligible.”
“it may have been as much as 20% of apparent consumption.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Niobium (Columbium) (PDF page 138) (2026-02)
Pilot. Summaries are ours, from official pages; each quoted passage is checked against the saved page. “Bottleneck” (orange dot) is shown only where the quote shows one country dominating the stage or the United States relying on imports for it. “No sourced data yet” means we have not found a source, not that the stage is unproblematic.
Mines, plants and partners
Named facilities with their operators and locations, as each source describes them on the date shown. 3 sourced entries for Niobium.
Mining
Magris Performance Materials
Saint-Honoré, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, Canada · Operating
The source says
“Based in Saint-Honoré in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, Niobec has been in production since 1976.”
“Niobec is a vertically integrated manufacturing facility and produces a final product that is sold directly to steel producers worldwide.”
“Magris Performance Materials Copyright © 2026”
Source: Magris Performance Materials, Niobium (company website) (2026)
Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM)
Araxá, Minas Gerais, Brazil · Status not stated
The source says
“On October 25, 1955, the Brazilian Metallurgy and Mining Company was born in Araxá-MG”
“The start of mining and production operations in Araxá marked a decisive step for the development of the Niobium market.”
“CBMM starts the production of ferroniobium in Araxá”
Source: CBMM, Our history: 70 years (company website) (2026-10-30)
Metal, alloy and chemical
Global Advanced Metals (GAM)
Boyertown, Pennsylvania, United States · Operating
The source says
“would direct $25M to the Global Advanced Metals (GAM) Boyertown Pennsylvania site to advance domestic tantalum and niobium production.”
“enhance our tantalum and niobium production capabilities at our plant in Boyertown, Pennsylvania”
Source: Global Advanced Metals, US Government Further Supports Global Advanced Metals Through EXIM (announcement) (2026-08-18)
A curated list, not a complete register: it shows facilities we could confirm in a source page, and a missing name means we have not sourced it, not that it does not exist. Each quoted passage is checked against the saved page. Partnerships are listed only where the source states them.
Policy and funding
Federal items we track for this mineral, each linked to its original.
Federal awards already made
Global Advanced Metals USA Inc · Department of Defense · $26.4M obligated · started 2024-09-20
Source: usaspending.gov, retrieved 2026-10-29
Global Advanced Metals USA Inc · Department of Defense · $20.2M obligated · started 2026-03-23
Source: usaspending.gov, retrieved 2026-10-29
Global Advanced Metals USA Inc · Department of Defense · $5.2M obligated · started 2025-09-29
Source: usaspending.gov, retrieved 2026-10-29
6K Additive, Inc. · Department of Defense · $1.9M obligated · started 2025-04-10
Source: usaspending.gov, retrieved 2026-10-29
Oritain USA Inc · Department of Defense · $249.9K obligated · started 2025-11-10
Source: usaspending.gov, retrieved 2026-10-29
The 5 largest of 5 AI-tagged awards from USAspending (last 12 months, found by keyword; some are only loosely about this mineral). See all awards for Niobium.
Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service, USAspending.gov: spending by award (contracts and grants, last 12 months) (award start dates per item)
Data tables
The USGS figures behind the charts. Click a column heading to sort.
Niobium (Columbium): USGS tables
United States
| Measure | Unit | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net import reliance as a percentage of apparent consumption | percent | 100 | 100 |
| Production, mine | metric tons | — | — |
| Imports for consumption | metric tons | 9,820 | 10,000 |
| Exports | metric tons | 485 | 420 |
| Shipments from Government stockpile | metric tons | NA | NA |
| Consumption: Apparent | metric tons | 9,340 | 9,900 |
| Consumption: Reported | metric tons | 6,600 | 6,700 |
| Price, average unit value, ferroniobium, dollars per kilogram | dollars per kilogram | 26 | 26 |
World production (metric tons; top 6 of 7, plus other countries)
| Country | 2024 | 2025 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 104,000 | 104,000 | 93% |
| Canada | 6,900 | 6,000 | 5% |
| Congo (Kinshasa) | 930 | 970 | 1% |
| Russia | 300 | 300 | 0% |
| Rwanda | 210 | 200 | 0% |
| China | 44 | 40 | 0% |
| Other countries | 160 | 120 | 0% |
World total 2025: 112,000 metric tons (as printed by USGS, rounded).
World reserves (metric tons; top 6 of 7, plus other countries)
| Country | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 14,000,000 |
| China | 6,500,000 |
| Canada | 640,000 |
| United States | 210,000 |
| Russia | 3,000 |
| Congo (Kinshasa) | NA |
| Other countries | NA |
U.S. import sources: Niobium and tantalum ores and concentrates (percent of imports, 2021–24)
| Country | Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Australia | 62 |
| Congo (Kinshasa) | 9 |
| Mozambique | 9 |
| United Arab Emirates | 5 |
| Other countries | 15 |
U.S. import sources: Niobium oxide (percent of imports, 2021–24)
| Country | Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 89 |
| Estonia | 4 |
| Thailand | 4 |
| Other countries | 3 |
U.S. import sources: Ferroniobium and niobium metal (percent of imports, 2021–24)
| Country | Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 65 |
| Canada | 31 |
| Other countries | 4 |
U.S. import sources: Total imports (percent of imports, 2021–24)
| Country | Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 67 |
| Canada | 28 |
| Other countries | 5 |
Note: USGS lists niobium under its older name columbium.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Niobium (Columbium) (February 2026)