Distribution of germanium resources

 Germanium is a typical rare dispersed element, which is about 7 parts per million in the earth's crust. Germanium has the chemical properties of lithophile, chalcophile, ferrophilic and organophilic, so it is difficult to form an independent ore deposit. It is generally distributed in minerals composed of other elements in a dispersed state and becomes the associated component of polymetallic deposits, such as lead (PB), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (AU) deposits containing sulfide and some specific coal mines. The global germanium resources are relatively poor. The proven reserves of germanium in the world are only 8600 metal tons. If the current rate of 200 tons / year is used up, the global stock of germanium will be exhausted in 43 years. Germanium resources are very concentrated in the world, mainly distributed in China, the United States and Russia. The largest distribution of germanium resources is the United States, with 3870 tons of reserves, accounting for 45% of the global content, followed by China, accounting for 41% of the world.