Global Trends in Rhenium Production and Its Strategic Importance in High-Performance Industries: A Decadal Review

Introduction. The global production of rhenium over the last decade has been relatively low due to its rarity and its primary extraction as a byproduct of molybdenite in copper ores. According to available data, the average annual rhenium production worldwide has fluctuated between 40 and 50 metric tons per year, with some slight variations depending on market demand, technological advancements in extraction, and changes in copper production. Thus, over the last decade, the total rhenium production is estimated to be in the range of 400 to 500 metric tons globally. The largest producers of rhenium include Chile, the United States, and Poland, with Chile being the primary source due to its large copper mines.