Chile is a global leader in copper production and ranks second worldwide in the production of lithium and molybdenum. Recently, Ronald Monsalve, a mining analyst at Chile’s National Copper Committee (Cochilco), pointed out at the “Santiago Critical Minerals Forum” that Chile is the world’s largest producer of both copper and rhenium.

Rhenium is a byproduct generated during the roasting of molybdenite ore. It is renowned for its high hardness, excellent resistance to high temperatures, superior electrical conductivity, and high elastic modulus. Due to these properties, rhenium has traditionally been used as an additive in the production of nickel-based superalloys, employed in the manufacture of aerospace engine components and as a catalyst in petroleum refineries. However, compared to platinum-group metals—which are expensive—rhenium, a strategic mineral, boasts electrostatic properties, lower costs, and greater sustainability, making it an outstanding catalyst for green hydrogen production.

According to data released by the Chilean National Copper Committee, the world’s leading primary rhenium producers are, in order, Chile (ranked first), the United States, and Poland (tied for second), accounting for 50%, 16%, and 16% of global production, respectively. Chile’s major domestic rhenium producers include Molyb, a subsidiary of the state-owned Chilean National Copper Corporation (Codelco), and Molymet, a Chilean molybdenum metals company.