Global Germanium Resource Distribution, Supply and Demand and Consumption Trends

As a kind of rare metal, germanium (Ge) is an important strategic reserve resource and plays a very important role in the development of military and civil fields. In recent years, its demand is increasing and becomes a key mineral.This paper systematically analyzes the distribution, supply and demand of Ge in the world, summarizes the status of Ge and the same matters in China. While we forecast the consumption trend of Ge in China, and put forward some suggestions for the possible problems in the process of exploitation and utilization of germanium resources in China.The research shows that we have small reserves of Ge in the world, but mainly in China, the US, Russia and other countries, focus on distribution. As a big country of Ge reserves and consumption, China has established a relatively perfect industrial chain. On the one hand, China has a big export, on the other hand, our high-end Ge products are heavily dependent on imports. We should establish a strategic reserve resource system to protect germanium resources amid the environment of trade protection and unilateralism. At the same time, we should speed up the industrial upgrading of the chain and the development of high-end product. Therefore, action must be taken to improve the study on extraction process of Germanium, strengthen the strategic reserve of resources and enhance the cooperation between domestic and foreign enterprises.