commodity

Niobium

A microalloying element for high-strength steel, mined almost entirely in Brazil. A few hundred grams per tonne makes steel stronger, tougher and lighter.

Figures checked 1 November 2026Next check Feb 2027, after USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2027

Key figures

Each figure shows where it comes from and which year it describes.

~93%

of the world's mined niobium came from Brazil in 2025.

USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 · 2025 estimate

Brazilian producers: CBMM at Araxá, Minas Gerais, and CMOC Brasil at Catalão, Goiás.

CBMM · 2026

~90%

of niobium is used in steel, added as ferroniobium.

Industry estimates · typical share

0.02–0.05%

niobium in typical high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel.

Total Materia · typical range

Supply chain explainer

Interactive · 7 stages

Mined at 1%. Shipped at 65%. Built in at 0.05%.

Seven stages from pyrochlore ore in Brazil to high-strength steel parts, with niobium content and the record that moves at each handover.

Open the explainer Download the share image (1080 × 1350 PNG)

Mine0.3–2%
Concentrator35–42%
Converter≈65%
Shipping≈65%
Steel mill0.02–0.05%
Fabricator0.02–0.05%
End customers0.02–0.05%

Update log

What changed on this page, and when.

Feb 2027
Scheduled
Check production figures against USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2027.
1 Nov 2026
Published
Page published with the supply chain explainer and key figures from USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026.

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