From the smartphones in our hands to the skyscrapers above us, the world runs on underground riches. Minerals and natural resources are the silent engines behind modern economies — powering energy, technology, infrastructure, and defense.

In 2025, as industries shift to electric vehicles, renewable energy, and advanced electronics, the race for minerals like lithium, rare earths, copper, and cobalt is heating up. Meanwhile, classic powerhouses like oil, coal, and iron ore still dominate many nations’ GDP.

Let’s explore the top underground resources globally — and the countries that lead the world in mining and exports of each

1. Crude Oil

• Top Exporters:
  Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, United States
• Key Fact:
  Saudi Arabia remains the world’s top oil exporter, with daily exports exceeding 7 million barrels.
• Use:
  Fuel, plastics, industrial chemicals, global energy supply.

2. Natural Gas

• Top Exporters:
  Qatar, United States, Russia, Australia, Norway
• Key Fact:
  Qatar is the global leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, fueling countries from Japan to India.
• Use:
  Electricity generation, industrial energy, home heating, hydrogen production.

3. CoaL

• Top Exporters:
  Australia, Indonesia, Russia, USA, South Africa
• Key Fact:
  Australia leads in both thermal and metallurgical coal exports, particularly to China and India.
• Use:
  Electricity (thermal coal), steelmaking (coking/met coal).

4. Iron Ore

• Top Exporters:
  Australia, Brazil, South Africa, India
• Key Fact:
  Australia is the #1 exporter, supplying over 50% of global iron ore, mostly to China.
• Use:
  Steel production, construction, automotive industry.

5. Gold

• Top Exporters:
  Switzerland (refined), South Africa, Russia, Canada, Australia
• Key Fact:
  While China is the largest gold producer, Switzerland is the top refiner and exporter of finished gold.
• Use:
  Jewelry, investment, electronics, central bank reserves.

6. Copper

• Top Exporters:
  Chile, Peru, DR Congo, Australia
• Key Fact:
  Chile produces nearly 30% of global copper — essential for wiring, electronics, and renewable tech.
• Use:
  Electrical infrastructure, motors, EVs, power grids.

7. Bauxite (Aluminum Ore)

• Top Exporters:
  Australia, Guinea, Indonesia, Brazil
• Key Fact:
  Guinea is emerging as a critical global source, rich in high-grade bauxite.
• Use:
  Aluminum production, aerospace, packaging, transport.

8. Lithium (The EV Gold)

• Top Exporters:
  Australia, Chile, China, Argentina
• Key Fact:
  Australia is the world’s top lithium miner, while Chile holds huge reserves in brine lakes.
• Use:
  Batteries (EVs, laptops), energy storage systems.

9. Cobalt

• Top Exporters:
  DR Congo, Russia, Australia, Philippines
• Key Fact:
  Democratic Republic of Congo supplies over 70% of the world’s cobalt, a critical EV battery mineral.
• Use:
  Batteries, aerospace, magnetic alloys.

10. Rare Earth Elements (REEs)

• Top Exporters:
  China, USA, Myanmar, Australia
• Key Fact:
  China dominates with over 60% of global production, essential for electronics, defense, and green tech.
• Use:
  Smartphones, wind turbines, electric motors, missile systems

11. Uranium

• Top Exporters:
  Kazakhstan, Canada, Namibia, Australia
• Key Fact:
  Kazakhstan produces nearly 40% of global uranium, key for nuclear energy.
• Use:
  Nuclear power, medical isotopes.

12. Diamonds

• Top Exporters:
  Russia, Botswana, Canada, South Africa
• Key Fact:
  Russia’s Alrosa and Botswana’s Debswana dominate global diamond mining.
• Use:
  Jewelry, cutting tools, industrial lasers.

13. Zinc

• Top Exporters:
  China, Peru, Australia, Mexico
• Key Fact:
  Zinc is critical for galvanizing steel — protecting structures worldwide.
• Use:
  Anti-corrosion coatings, batteries, paints.

14. Nickel

• Top Exporters:
  Indonesia, Philippines, Russia, New Caledonia
• Key Fact:
  Indonesia has become a global nickel refining hub, powering the EV boom.
• Use:
  Stainless steel, EV batteries, electronics.

15. Phosphate Rock

• Top Exporters
  Morocco, China, Jordan, USA
• Key Fact:
  Morocco controls over 70% of the world’s phosphate reserves — key for fertilizers.
• Use:
  Fertilizer production, agriculture, detergents.

Bonus: Salt, Gypsum, and Other Industrial Minerals

• India is a major salt exporter (especially from Gujarat)
• Iran and Thailand are top in gypsum (used in construction)

Final Thought:

Underground resources are more than just commodities — they are levers of power, diplomacy, and innovation. As clean energy rises and tech demand explodes, the countries that master resource strategy, sustainability, and ethical mining will lead the next chapter of global growth.

In a world where “rare” is the new oil, those who understand minerals hold the keys to the future.