Which minerals are by-products of other metals?

23 of the minerals on this site are recovered, wholly or in part, as by-products or co-products of another commodity. Copper is the host for the most of them (10). That matters because the supply of a by-product follows its host: a refinery or smelter recovers the by-product from material it is already processing, so output depends on whether the host is mined and on whether the operator chooses to fit the equipment.

Every link below carries a quote from the source that states it, usually USGS's Mineral Commodity Summaries. A link appears only where a source says so; where USGS names several routes, the entry says "one of several sources". The page does not estimate how much of a mineral comes from each host unless a source gives the share, and those shares are shown separately with their source. Links marked "limited scope" describe one country, a small stream or a historical operation, and are left out of the host pages' lists.

One line per sourced link. A mineral with several lines has more than one source of supply.

Where a source gives a share

Tellurium: More than 90% of tellurium from primary electrolytic copper refining (anode slimes). Source
Tellurium: At least 75% of the world's recovered tellurium as a by-product of copper mining (USGS PP 1802, 2017). Source
Gallium: More than 80% of the world's refined gallium from bauxite deposits (USGS PP 1802, 2017). Source
Rhenium: About 80% of mined rhenium from flue dust of roasting molybdenite concentrates from porphyry copper deposits (USGS PP 1802, 2017). Source
Gold: About 7% of US gold recovered as a by-product of base-metal ores, chiefly copper. Source
Vanadium: At least 10% of the world's vanadium supply from coal, crude oil and petroleum combined, not split between them (USGS PP 1802, 2017). Source
Tantalum: Historically 10% of global tantalum supply from tin slag (USGS PP 1802, 2017, citing a 2010 source; not a current split). Source

Every link, with its source

Minerals recovered as by-products, the host, the role and the supporting quote
Mineral	Recovered from	Role	What the source says
Antimony	Lead lead deposits (including Mississippi Valley-type lead deposits)	one of several sources	antimony can be recovered as a byproduct from some base-metal refining, for example, from Mississippi Valley-type lead deposits in the United States USGS Professional Paper 1802-C, Antimony No share given.
Antimony	Silver silver mines (historical: Sunshine mine, Idaho, ceased 2001)	by product limited scope	The Sunshine silver mine in Idaho was a significant producer of byproduct antimony from a deposit of silver-rich tetrahedrite USGS Professional Paper 1802-C, Antimony Historical example; the mine stopped recovering antimony before closing in early 2001.
Antimony	Gold gold-antimony veins (USGS: 'joint product'; often mined for gold alone)	one of several sources	Gold is an important joint product with antimony, but gold-antimony veins are commonly mined just for their gold. USGS Professional Paper 1802-C, Antimony Described as a joint product; no share given.
Arsenic	Copper copper smelter flue dust	one of several sources	Arsenic may be obtained from copper, gold, and lead smelter flue dust, as well as from roasting arsenopyrite, the most abundant ore mineral of arsenic. USGS MCS 2026, Arsenic USGS says arsenic 'may be' obtained this way and does not call it a by-product or give a share.
Arsenic	Gold gold smelter flue dust	one of several sources	Arsenic may be obtained from copper, gold, and lead smelter flue dust, as well as from roasting arsenopyrite, the most abundant ore mineral of arsenic. USGS MCS 2026, Arsenic USGS says arsenic 'may be' obtained this way and does not call it a by-product or give a share.
Arsenic	Lead lead smelter flue dust	one of several sources	Arsenic may be obtained from copper, gold, and lead smelter flue dust, as well as from roasting arsenopyrite, the most abundant ore mineral of arsenic. USGS MCS 2026, Arsenic USGS says arsenic 'may be' obtained this way and does not call it a by-product or give a share.
Barite	Lead lead mining (vein-type deposits, some operations)	one of several sources	In some mining operations, barite is a byproduct or coproduct of fluorite, lead, or zinc production. USGS Professional Paper 1802-D, Barite (Barium) 'In some mining operations'; no share given.
Barite	Zinc zinc mining (vein-type deposits, some operations)	one of several sources	In some mining operations, barite is a byproduct or coproduct of fluorite, lead, or zinc production. USGS Professional Paper 1802-D, Barite (Barium) 'In some mining operations'; no share given.
Barite	Fluorspar fluorite (fluorspar) mining (vein-type deposits, some operations)	one of several sources	In some mining operations, barite is a byproduct or coproduct of fluorite, lead, or zinc production. USGS Professional Paper 1802-D, Barite (Barium) 'In some mining operations'; fluorite is the mineral that makes up fluorspar. No share given.
Beryllium	Feldspar beryl, small-scale pegmatite mining (the main US source is bertrandite, not a by-product)	one of several sources	Beryl is typically mined from small-scale operations using minimal mining equipment, commonly as a byproduct of feldspar and mica mining. USGS Professional Paper 1802-E, Beryllium Applies to beryl. USGS MCS 2026 says the Utah operation mined bertrandite ore as the main U.S. source.
Bismuth	Lead lead ore processing	by product	Bismuth minerals rarely occur in sufficient quantities to be mined as principal products; bismuth is produced most often as a byproduct during the processing of lead ores. USGS MCS 2026, Bismuth
Bismuth	Tungsten tungsten ore processing (China and Vietnam)	by product	In China and Vietnam, bismuth is also produced as a byproduct or coproduct of tungsten and other metal ore processing. USGS MCS 2026, Bismuth
Bismuth	Zinc zinc ore processing (Japan and Republic of Korea)	by product	In Japan and the Republic of Korea, bismuth is produced as a byproduct or coproduct of zinc ore processing. USGS MCS 2026, Bismuth
Cobalt	Copper sediment-hosted stratiform copper-cobalt deposits (Congo and Zambia)	by product	Most of the world’s cobalt is produced as a byproduct of copper mining in sediment-hosted Cu-Co deposits USGS Professional Paper 1802-F, Cobalt
Cobalt	Nickel nickel mining (laterite and magmatic nickel-copper sulfide deposits; 2011 production data)	by product	Cobalt mine production from most other countries was as a byproduct of nickel mining. USGS Professional Paper 1802-F, Cobalt 'Most other countries' means countries other than Congo (Kinshasa) and Zambia; production year in that passage is 2011.
Gallium	Bauxite bauxite (alumina production)	by product	Globally, primary gallium is recovered predominantly as a byproduct of processing bauxite ores. USGS MCS 2026, Gallium
Gallium	Zinc zinc ores (zinc-processing residues)	one of several sources	Gallium may also be recovered as a byproduct of processing zinc ores. USGS MCS 2026, Gallium USGS says the remainder after bauxite is produced from zinc-processing residues.
Gold	Copper base-metal ores, chiefly copper ores (United States)	one of several sources limited scope	About 7% of domestic gold was recovered as a byproduct of processing domestic base-metal ores, chiefly copper ores. USGS MCS 2026, Gold U.S. production only.
Helium	Natural gas natural gas fields (helium is produced alongside other gases)	co product	Helium is a nonrenewable resource that is produced from the subsurface, typically in conjunction with other gases. These coproduced gases are either hydrocarbon rich, inert, or a mixture of the two. USGS SIR 2021-5085 (helium) Some helium fields are helium-rich, so helium is not always a co-product of natural gas production.
Indium	Zinc zinc (sphalerite refining)	by product	Because indium is recovered as a byproduct of zinc production, the supply of primary indium is determined by the supply of zinc, regardless of the market demand for indium. USGS Professional Paper 1802-I, Germanium and Indium USGS MCS 2026 (Indium) says indium is most commonly recovered from the zinc-sulfide mineral sphalerite and gives no share.
Lead	Zinc zinc mines (Alaska)	one of several sources limited scope	Lead was produced domestically by five lead mines in Missouri plus as a byproduct at two zinc mines in Alaska and two silver mines in Idaho. USGS MCS 2026, Lead U.S. production only.
Lead	Silver silver mines (Idaho)	one of several sources limited scope	Lead was produced domestically by five lead mines in Missouri plus as a byproduct at two zinc mines in Alaska and two silver mines in Idaho. USGS MCS 2026, Lead U.S. production only.
Molybdenum	Copper porphyry copper mines (molybdenite recovered from copper ore)	one of several sources	Only China and the United States produced molybdenum from both primary molybdenum mines and byproduct copper mines; the other countries relied on byproduct copper production. USGS MCS 2026, Molybdenum Primary molybdenum mines also exist (two in Colorado); USGS gives no global share.
Nickel	Copper copper processing (United States)	one of several sources limited scope	Small amounts of nickel continued to be recovered domestically as a byproduct of copper and platinum-group-metals processing and from recycled materials. USGS MCS 2026, Nickel U.S. only; USGS calls the amounts small.
Nickel	Platinum platinum-group-metals processing (United States)	one of several sources limited scope	Small amounts of nickel continued to be recovered domestically as a byproduct of copper and platinum-group-metals processing and from recycled materials. USGS MCS 2026, Nickel U.S. only and small; the site's platinum page stands in for platinum-group metals.
Niobium	Tin tin mining and metallurgy (tin slag)	one of several sources	some world demand for tantalum, and to a lesser extent, niobium, is met by production of these elements as byproducts of tin mining and metallurgy USGS Professional Paper 1802-M, Niobium and Tantalum Minor for niobium; USGS MCS 2026 says Brazil accounts for about 93% of global niobium production.
Palladium	Copper small US quantities, Michigan copper-nickel mining	one of several sources limited scope	Small quantities of PGMs also were recovered as byproducts of copper-nickel mining in Michigan; however, this material was exported for refining. USGS MCS 2026, Platinum-Group Metals Small U.S. quantities only; USGS gives no share.
Platinum	Copper small US quantities, Michigan copper-nickel mining	one of several sources limited scope	Small quantities of PGMs also were recovered as byproducts of copper-nickel mining in Michigan; however, this material was exported for refining. USGS MCS 2026, Platinum-Group Metals Small U.S. quantities only; USGS gives no share.
Rare earths	Titanium monazite from beach-sand ilmenite and rutile mining (Brazil, India; small US output); most rare earths come from other deposits	one of several sources	The monazite is recovered as a byproduct during the extraction of ilmenite USGS Professional Paper 1802-O, Rare-Earth Elements Monazite only. USGS MCS 2026 says bastnaesite was mined as a primary product at Mountain Pass, CA. The site's titanium page stands in for titanium minerals.
Rare earths	Iron ore Bayan Obo, China (mined together with iron ore)	co product	The largest mining operation is Baotou Rare Earth's Bayan Obo Mine, which produces iron ore as well as bastnaesite and monazite as the main rare-earth minerals. USGS PP 1802-O USGS does not use the word by-product here; it calls Bayan Obo the main current source of rare earths.
Rhenium	Molybdenum molybdenite roasting (United States, 2025)	by product limited scope	rhenium-containing products including ammonium perrhenate (APR), metal powder, and perrhenic acid were produced as byproducts from roasting molybdenum concentrates from porphyry copper-molybdenum deposits in Arizona and Montana USGS MCS 2026, Rhenium Describes U.S. production in 2025.
Rhenium	Copper porphyry copper mining (via molybdenite concentrates); also sedimentary copper deposits	by product	Nearly all primary rhenium production (that is, rhenium produced by mining rather than through recycling) is as a byproduct of copper mining USGS Professional Paper 1802-P, Rhenium
Rhenium	Uranium roll-front sandstone uranium ore, Kazakhstan (minor)	by product limited scope	Smaller amounts of rhenium are recovered from the processing of roll-front-type sandstone uranium ore in Kazakhstan USGS PP 1802-P
Silver	Lead lead-zinc mines	by product	Although silver was a principal product at several mines, silver was primarily obtained as a byproduct from lead-zinc, copper, and gold mines, in descending order of silver production. USGS MCS 2026, Silver Lead-zinc mines are listed first by silver output; no numeric split among hosts.
Silver	Zinc lead-zinc mines	by product	Although silver was a principal product at several mines, silver was primarily obtained as a byproduct from lead-zinc, copper, and gold mines, in descending order of silver production. USGS MCS 2026, Silver Lead-zinc mines are listed first by silver output; no numeric split among hosts.
Silver	Copper copper mines	by product	Although silver was a principal product at several mines, silver was primarily obtained as a byproduct from lead-zinc, copper, and gold mines, in descending order of silver production. USGS MCS 2026, Silver Second in descending order of silver production; no numeric split.
Silver	Gold gold mines	by product	Although silver was a principal product at several mines, silver was primarily obtained as a byproduct from lead-zinc, copper, and gold mines, in descending order of silver production. USGS MCS 2026, Silver Third in descending order of silver production; no numeric split.
Tantalum	Tin tin mining and metallurgy (tin slag)	one of several sources	some world demand for tantalum, and to a lesser extent, niobium, is met by production of these elements as byproducts of tin mining and metallurgy USGS Professional Paper 1802-M, Niobium and Tantalum USGS says it has not tried to measure resources within the tin sector; no share given.
Tellurium	Copper copper (anode slimes from electrolytic refining)	by product	Tellurium is recovered principally as a byproduct of the electrolytic refining of primary copper, where it accumulates in the residues of copper anodes. USGS MCS 2026, Tellurium
Tellurium	Lead lead refinery skimmings	one of several sources	the remainder was derived from skimmings at lead refineries and from flue dusts and gases generated during the smelting of bismuth, copper, and lead-zinc ores USGS MCS 2026, Tellurium Minor source; 'the remainder' after the roughly 90% from copper anode slimes.
Tellurium	Bismuth bismuth smelting (flue dusts and gases)	one of several sources	the remainder was derived from skimmings at lead refineries and from flue dusts and gases generated during the smelting of bismuth, copper, and lead-zinc ores USGS MCS 2026, Tellurium Minor source; USGS gives no separate share for bismuth smelting.
Vanadium	Crude oil petroleum refining (residues, spent catalysts)	by product	Significant amounts of vanadium are recovered as byproducts of petroleum refining, and processing of coal, tar sands, and oil shales may be important future sources. USGS Professional Paper 1802-U, Vanadium
Vanadium	Coal coal processing (minor)	by product	minor amounts are produced as byproducts of coal and tar sands USGS Professional Paper 1802-U, Vanadium USGS calls the coal contribution minor.
Vanadium	Bauxite bauxite (USGS: 'can be recovered')	one of several sources limited scope	Because vanadium can be recovered as a byproduct of the mining of bauxite, carnotite, phosphate, and titanomagnetite ores USGS Professional Paper 1802-U, Vanadium USGS says 'can be recovered'; no share given.
Vanadium	Phosphate rock phosphate (small amounts, historical: Idaho and Wyoming slag)	one of several sources limited scope	Small amounts of vanadium have been produced from the Alum Shale in Sweden and from ferrophosphorus slag generated during the reduction of phosphate to elemental phosphorus in ore from shales of the Phosphoria Formation in Idaho and Wyoming. USGS Professional Paper 1802-U, Vanadium USGS says 'can be recovered'; no share given.
Vanadium	vanadiferous titanomagnetite ores (processed during steelmaking) titanomagnetite ore processed in steelmaking (China)	co product	In 2025, China continued to be the world’s top vanadium producer, with most of its production originating as a coproduct from vanadiferous titanomagnetite ores processed during steelmaking. USGS MCS 2026, Vanadium The host is named as an ore type, not as iron ore or steel, so it is not mapped to a site page.
Vanadium	Uranium uranium mining, Colorado Plateau (historical)	by product limited scope	mining resumed again in 1949 (until about 1983) for major production of uranium, with vanadium as a byproduct USGS Professional Paper 1802-U, Vanadium Historical; USGS MCS 2026 says Utah vanadium mining from uraniferous sandstones ceased in early 2020.
Zirconium	Titanium heavy-mineral sands (ilmenite and rutile mining)	by product	zircon is primarily a byproduct of heavy-mineral sand mining for the titanium minerals ilmenite and rutile USGS Professional Paper 1802-V, Zirconium and Hafnium Applies to zircon. USGS MCS 2026 says U.S. zircon is recovered 'as a coproduct from the mining of heavy-mineral sands'. The site's titanium page stands in for titanium minerals.

Quotes are from the cited sources, shortened to the clause that states the link. A mineral absent from this page is one for which the sources used here did not name a host, not one that has none. By-product supply is also covered on each mineral's page under "About these numbers".

More patterns

Concentration: How much of each commodity comes from one country?
Producer or exporter?: Is the biggest producer also the biggest seller abroad?
Prices in real terms: Which prices are records once inflation is removed?
Growth and decline: Whose output is rising or falling fastest?
Linked prices and seasons: Which prices move together, and which have a season?
A century of real prices: Are minerals getting scarcer, judging by their real prices since 1900?
Supplier exposure: Which big buyers lean on one supplier for critical minerals?
Trade after export controls: What happened to a country's exports after it controlled them?
Export share history: Who has gained and lost share of world exports since 2000?
Prices around export controls: What happened to mineral prices after export controls?
Export basket prices: What would a country's commodity exports have fetched at each month's prices?
Substitution coverage: How large are other exporters' sales to other buyers next to an importer's biggest supplier?
Critical risk matrix: Which critical minerals combine concentrated mining, export controls and import reliance?
Country reserve life: Which producing countries have the least of what they mine?
Prices and cumulative output: Do prices fall as the world digs up more of a mineral?
US import reliance and recycling: How much of each mineral does the United States import, and how much comes from scrap?
Data confidence: How firm are each commodity's production numbers?
Export controls and bans: Which governments restrict exports of minerals, and what is still in force?
Chokepoints: Which narrow passages do the world's commodities depend on?
Peak production: Which minerals and fuels are still setting records, and which peaked years ago?
Reserves and mining: Where are the deposits, and who digs them up?
Supply concentration: Which commodities depend on the fewest suppliers?
Land or yield?: Did output grow because farmers planted more or farmed better?
Supply shocks and prices: When world output falls, do prices rise?
Category price indices: How have energy, metals and food prices moved since 1960?
Drawdowns and volatility: How far do prices fall, and do they recover?
Stocks and prices: Are prices lower when the world holds more stock?
Which prices follow oil?: How closely does each commodity track crude oil?
How reliable is the data?: How much of world output rests on estimates?
Net exporters and importers: Who is a net seller and who a net buyer?
Country leaders: Which countries lead across the most commodities?
Export dependency: Which countries rely on one commodity?
Concentration over time: Has production spread out or narrowed?
Import dependency: Which countries buy most of a commodity from one supplier?
Supplier shifts: Who gained and lost importers' business?
Trade price against benchmark: Does traded product sell above or below the benchmark price?
Prices in other currencies: How much of a price move is the dollar?
Do prices lead each other?: Does one commodity price move before another?
Volatility over time: Are prices more volatile than they used to be?
Seasonality: Which prices have a calendar-month pattern?
Price ratios: What does one commodity buy of another, and is that high or low?
El Niño and prices: Do El Niño and La Niña years move commodity prices?
Who consumes it: Which countries consume each commodity, and how much per person?
Self-sufficiency: Which large markets depend on imports, and which produce far more than they use?
Trade flows: Who sells each commodity to whom?

Every figure is computed from the same tables as the commodity pages. The full set is in patterns.json, and single facts from it appear each day on the facts page.