Germanium

An analysis of how China's export licensing regime on gallium and germanium has destabilized semiconductor supply chains since mid-2023. It notes germanium prices climbed roughly 90 percent year-over-year while gallium spiked even harder, squeezing materials needed for 5G, EVs and AI datacenters.

Chinese researchers have identified Wusihe germanium ore, the first independently occurring germanate mineral found in China, with germanium oxide content averaging about 72 percent. The find matters for a market where annual demand is projected to exceed production by 40-50 metric tons.

The Canadian government is backing Teck's Trail smelter with up to C$400 million in financing to expand strategic metals output. Teck says the expansion could double its germanium and antimony production and add gallium capacity for defense, semiconductor and clean-energy supply chains.