Primary Uses
High-temperature, specialty magnets, Neutron absorbers (Nuclear)
Scarcity & Economic Profile
Crustal Abundance
6-7 ppm
Primary Economic Driver
Defence (missile guidance)
Geological Scarcity
Supply Risk
Sources - Crustal Abundance
- Rudnick, R. L., & Gao, S. (2003). Composition of the Continental Crust. Treatise on Geochemistry, 3, 1-64.
- Taylor, S. R., & McLennan, S. M. (1985). The Continental Crust: Its Composition and Evolution. Blackwell Scientific Publications.
- Wedepohl, K. H. (1995). The composition of the continental crust. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 59(7), 1217-1232.
- U.S. Geological Survey. (2026). Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026. U.S. Department of the Interior.
Short Description
Samarium-cobalt magnets offer exceptional high-temperature performance and corrosion resistance, making them ideal for demanding aerospace, military, and industrial applications. Samarium also serves as a neutron absorber in nuclear reactors, helping to control nuclear reactions.
Found In
- Samarium Metal - 100%
- Samarium Oxide - 100%
- SmCo Magnets - 35%
Found In Ore Types
Mining Projects
Projects targeting ore types that contain Sm.
Policy & Regulatory Updates
2 articles mentioning Samarium
Apr 2026
The Invisible Wall: Decoding China's 2026 Licensing Regime
China's updated Export Licensing Management Goods Catalogue reached full implementation on April 4, 2026, moving mid-to-heavy rare earth elements into a restrictive, case-by-case licensing regime - and a suspended "0.1% Rule" that threatens to ensnare foreign-made goods containing Chinese-origin rare earths expires November 10, 2026.
Mar 2026
The Vietnam Pivot: How Export Bans are Building a New Processing Powerhouse
The $60M Lynas - LS Eco Energy cross-investment deal to build a rare earth metal plant in Vietnam is the first major "post-ban" victory for Vietnam's industrial policy - proving that Hanoi's export ban is successfully forcing a reorganisation of the global magnet supply chain.