1. China
Currently, China dominates the landscape of global vanadium production with an estimated output of 43,000 metric tons in 2024. The vast majority of this production comes from the country’s rich and diverse deposits of vanadium-bearing titaniferous magnetite ores, which are found predominantly in provinces such as Sichuan, Hebei, and Liaoning. Stone coal, a carbonaceous shale type, is another significant source of vanadium in China. The leading Chinese vanadium producer is the Panzhihua Iron and Steel Group (PANGANG). Notably, the country’s efforts beyond mining include the implementation of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB) that utilize vanadium’s unique ability to exist in solution in four different oxidation states to build large, durable and cost-effective energy storage systems.
2. Russia
Russia is the second-largest vanadium producer on the global stage, boasting an output of approximately 16,000 metric tons as of 2024. The Urals region holds an abundant wealth of vanadiferous titanomagnetite deposits from which the inherent vanadium is extracted. The leading producer of the element in Russia is the Evraz Group, a multinational vertically integrated steel-making and mining company. The group’s Kachkanarsky Ore Mining and Processing Enterprise is a key player in producing vanadium slag. Russia’s vanadium industry is expected to witness sound growth in the upcoming years, considering the nation’s increased emphasis on strengthening its steel industry, as well as taking strides to stimulate the domestic energy storage market, inclusive of vanadium batteries.
3. South Africa
Producing an estimate of 13,000 metric tons in 2024, South Africa stands at the third position among the top vanadium-producing countries worldwide. The major vanadium reserves in South Africa are found within the Bushveld Igneous Complex – one of the most critical mineral-rich regions globally. In this locale, the Bushveld Minerals group and Glencore are among the leading vanadium mining companies. The vanadium present in South Africa is typically found within magnetite layers, coupled with titanium. South Africa’s Rhovan mine, an open-cast operation, is a leading global vanadium extraction site.
4. Brazil
With an output of approximately 8,000 metric tons, Brazil ranks fourth among global vanadium producers. Vanadium in Brazil is primarily mined from the country’s vast titaniferous magnetite ores found in its Northern regions, such as the Carajás Mineral Province. Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD), today known as Vale — one of the world’s largest metals and mining corporations, is a key player in the Brazilian vanadium industry. Presently, Brazil has been making strides in the green development area with the construction of vanadium flow batteries at power plants for renewable energy storage. This move could serve as a catalyst for growth in the country’s vanadium industry.
These top four countries lead in the vanadium production, ensuring a continuous supply to cater to the growing global demand. Given the increasing significance of vanadium in various applications such as steel production and energy storage, the landscape of vanadium production is expected to see dynamic shifts in the future.
