Aluminum
Main Uses: Electrical transmission lines, vehicles, packaging, and a variety of construction materials.
U.S. Main Source(s): Imported from Canada, China, Mexico, UAE, and South Korea.
Domestic Production Capability: The U.S. has significant bauxite reserves and produces aluminum domestically but still relies on imports to meet total demand.
[Photo Credit: Interactive Periodic Table of Elements - Idaho National Laboratory ]
Antimony
Main Uses: Batteries, flame retardant material,
solders and alloys, ceramics and paints.
U.S. Main Source(s): China, India, Oman,
UK and Vietnam.
Domestic Production Capability: Primarily found in
western states such as Montana, Alaska, and Idaho.
[Photo: Interactive Periodic Table of Elements - Idaho National Laboratory ]
Arsenic
Main Uses: Wood preservatives,
pesticides, ammunition, adhesives,
medicines.
U.S. Main Source(s): China and Morocco.
Domestic Production Capability: No domestic
production since 1985, mostly imported from
China.
[Photo Credit: Interactive Periodic Table of Elements - Idaho National Laboratory ]
Barite
Main Uses: Radiation shielding, petroleum drilling, construction
materials.
U.S. Main Source(s): China, India, Morocco, Mexico
Domestic Production Capability: Primarily drilled out of Nevada by three companies.
[Photo Credit: http://www.goodfreephotos.com/]
Beryllium
Main Uses: Air and space vehicles, nuclear
technology, transistors, dental bridges.
U.S. Main Source(s): Brazil, China, Madagascar,
Mozambique, Portugal.
Domestic Production Capability: The US solely mines
Bertrandite ore out of Utah, and relies on imports for the
rest.
[Photo Credit: Interactive Periodic Table of Elements - Idaho National Laboratory ]
Bismuth (Bi)
Main Uses: Various pharmaceutical applications, electrical solders,
semiconductors.
U.S. Main Source(s): China, South Korea, Peru, Mexico, Japan.
Domestic Production Capability: US ceased most bismuth refinement in 1997 and primarily relies on imports now.
[Photo Credit: Interactive Periodic Table of Elements - Idaho National Laboratory ]
Cerium
Main Uses: Electronics, optics, lighting, alloys, and steel production.
U.S. Main Source(s):
Domestic Production Capability:
[Photo Credit: Interactive Periodic Table of Elements - Idaho National Laboratory ]
Cesium
Main Uses: Clocks, vacuum tubes, medical radiation, cancer
treatments, glass, pyrotechnics.
U.S. Main Source(s): Canada, China, Germany, Russia.
Domestic Production Capability: The US imports 100% of its Cesium.
[Photo Credit: Interactive Periodic Table of Elements - Idaho National Laboratory ]
Chromium
Main Uses: Diabetes and cardiovascular treatments, school
buses, metals.
U.S. Main Source(s): South Africa, Brazil, Italy, Germany, the
Netherlands.
Domestic Production Capability: The US recovers Chromium from
recyclables, but primarily imports from South Africa.
[Photo Credit: Interactive Periodic Table of Elements - Idaho National Laboratory ]
Cobalt
Main Uses: Rechargeable batteries, super alloys, catalysts.
U.S. Main Source(s): Imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo and refined in China.
Domestic Production Capability: Limited domestic production, efforts are underway to develop domestic sources.
[Photo Credit: Interactive Periodic Table of Elements - Idaho National Laboratory ]
Copper
Main Uses: Electrical wiring, electronics, power generation and transmission
U.S. Main Source(s): Imported from Chile, Canada, and Mexico
Domestic Production Capability: The U.S. is a significant producer of copper, with substantial mining operations in states like Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.
[Photo Credit: Interactive Periodic Table of Elements - Idaho National Laboratory ]
Dysprosium
Main Uses: Permanent magnets in wind turbines and electric vehicles
U.S. Main Source(s): Mainly sourced from China
Domestic Production Capability: No significant domestic production; the U.S. depends on imports, primarily from China, for dysprosium.
[Photo Credit: Interactive Periodic Table of Elements - Idaho National Laboratory
Erbium
Main Uses: Reactor control rods, laser devices, eyewear, metal alloys, jewelry
U.S. Main Source(s): Mainly imported from China
Domestic Production Capability: The amount produced by the US is negligible to the amount imported from China
[Photo Credit: Interactive Periodic Table of Elements - Idaho National Laboratory ]
Europium
Main Uses: Televisions, quantum memory chips, biomaterials, nuclear reactors
U.S. Main Source(s):
Domestic Production Capability:
[Photo Credit: Interactive Periodic Table of Elements - Idaho National Laboratory ]
Fluorspar (Fluorine)
Main Uses: Steel, refrigeration and air conditioning, glass, oil refining.
U.S. Main Source(s): Mostly brought in from Mexico. China and Vietnam import in a smaller amount.
Domestic Production Capability: The US has started to produce its own fluorspar and move away from importing it.
[Photo Credit: Interactive Periodic Table of Elements - Idaho National Laboratory ]
Gadolinium
Main Uses:
U.S. Main Source(s):
Domestic Production Capability:
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Gallium
Main Uses:
U.S. Main Source(s):
Domestic Production Capability:
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Germanium
Main Uses:
U.S. Main Source(s):
Domestic Production Capability:
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