China restricts high-tech metals
China is clamping down on exports of two silicon alternatives – gallium and germanium – from August. China is the world’s largest source of the two rare metals 

Applications: Semiconductores, integrated circuits, memory chips, microwave and 5G communications, artificial intelligence, radar, high-power laser and chemical catalysts 

Gallium is by-product of processing bauxite and zinc ores, germanium is formed during zinc production 

Imports of gallium and germanium from China ($millions, 2022)


Japan 203.2
South Korea 171.2
India 166.6
Taiwan 85.8
Germany 76.7
U.S. 60.3
France 32.6
Russia 29.5
Netherlands 27.9
Malaysia 23.5
Rest of world 117.2

0 50 100 150 200

Rest of the world

2.00%
Gallium production 430 tonnes (2022)
China 98.00%

28.53%
Germanium production 140 tonnes (2021)
China 67.90%

Sources: Center for Strategic and International Studies, U.S. Geological Survey © GRAPHIC NEWS