Critical Minerals Intelligence A project of Special Operations Association of America
20 Minerals
29 Countries
8 Critical risk
3 Very high
// Intelligence brief

Germanium (Ge)

CRITICAL RISK
Overview

A semiconductor metalloid essential for infrared optics, fiber-optic communication systems, thermal imaging technologies, and advanced semiconductor applications. Germanium possesses unique optical and electronic properties that make it irreplaceable in many military infrared and night-vision systems.

Risk score

95/100 — supply chain threat level: Critical

Primary use cases

Fiber Optics, Infrared Optics, Night Vision, Satellite Imaging