Qatar

In 2024, Qatar was the world’s second-ranked producer of helium, accounting for an estimated 35% of global production. Other mineral commodities produced in the country included cement, iron and steel, lime, nitrogen (ammonia and urea), sand and gravel, stone, and sulfur. Production of mineral commodities including hydrocarbons contributed 36% to Qatar’s gross domestic product in 2024. The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Qatar is provided by Law No. 3 of 2007 on the Exploitation of Natural Resources. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce oversees the mineral sector and provides services including monitoring mineral industry activities and managing the country’s mineral policies. Most mineral commodities were produced by domestic and foreign private companies. 

In 2024, Qatar was the world’s second-ranked producer of helium accounting for an estimated 35% of global production. Other mineral commodities produced in the country included cement, iron and steel, lime, nitrogen (ammonia and urea), sand and gravel, stone, and sulfur. Data on mineral production are in the Production table (formerly table 1). Production of mineral commodities including hydrocarbons contributed 36% to Qatar’s gross domestic product in 2024. The country exported helium, in descending order of quantity, to China, the Netherlands, Germany, South Africa, and the Republic of Korea (National Planning Council, 2024, p. 9; 2025a, p. 9; 2025b, p. 7; 2025c, p. 5; Goodin, 2026; Trade Data Monitor, undated). 

The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Qatar is provided by Law No. 3 of 2007 on the Exploitation of Natural Resources. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce oversees the mineral sector and provides services including monitoring mineral industry activities and managing the country’s mineral policies. Most mineral commodities were produced by domestic and foreign private companies. The Facilities table (formerly table 2) is a list of major mineral industry facilities. More-extensive coverage of government policies and programs can be found in previous editions of this chapter in the U.S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook, volume III, Area Reports — International — Africa and the Middle East, which are available at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/africa-and-middle-east (Al Meezan, undated). 

Commodity review  

Helium.—Qatar’s helium production in 2024 was estimated to be 64 million cubic meters compared with 66 million cubic meters in 2023. The Qatar Helium 1 and 2 plants in Ras Laffan had a total capacity of 62 million cubic meters per year of helium. In 2021, completion of the Helium 3 plant at Ras Laffan added nearly 12 million cubic meters per year of helium to the country’s capacity. These three plants accounted for 39% of the world’s helium output. The country produced helium as a byproduct from the North Field natural gas reservoir. Qatar’s total helium exports increased to 51,109 metric tons (t) in 2024 compared with 39,053 t in 2023. The country exported helium, in descending order of quantity, to China, the Netherlands, Germany, South Africa, and the Republic of Korea (Mahdi, 2023; QatarEnergy LNG, 2026; Trade Data Monitor, undated; Zen Innovations AG, undated). 

Production table

(Metric tons, gross weight, unless otherwise specified)

References Cited 

• Al Meezan, [undated], Law No. 3 of 2007 on the exploitation of natural resources: Al Meezan [Doha, Qatar]. (Accessed January 6, 2026, at https://www.almeezan.qa/LawArticles.aspx?LawTreeSectionID=9597&lawId=26…;

• Goodin, R.C., 2026, Helium and rare gases: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 96−97. 

• Mahdi, Shawqi, 2023, \$2.8 billion helium market by 2026—Qatari dominance of global helium market: Doha, Qatar, Lusail, May 5. (Accessed March 30, 2026, at https://lusailnews.net/article/business/energysources/05/05/2022/%D8%B3….) [In Arabic.] 

• National Planning Council, 2024, National accounts—Quarterly estimates of gross domestic product, Q3, 2024: Doha, Qatar, National Planning Council, December 31, 20 p. (Accessed December 3, 2025, at https://www.npc.qa/en/statistics/Statistical%20Releases/Economic/Nation….) 

• National Planning Council, 2025a, National accounts—Quarterly estimates of gross domestic product, Q4, 2024: Doha, Qatar, National Planning Council, March 29, 19 p. (Accessed December 3, 2025, at https://www.npc.qa/en/statistics/Statistical%20Releases/Economic/National%20Accounts/GDP/GDP_Q4_2024_AE.pdf.) 

• National Planning Council, 2025b, National accounts—Quarterly estimates of gross domestic product, Q1, 2025: Doha, Qatar, National Planning Council, June 30, 18 p. (Accessed December 3, 2025, at https://www.npc.qa/en/statistics/Statistical%20Releases/Economic/National%20Accounts/GDP/GDP_Q1_2025_AE.pdf.) 

• National Planning Council, 2025c, National accounts—Quarterly estimates of gross domestic product, Q2, 2025: Doha, Qatar, National Planning Council, September 21, 13 p. (Accessed December 3, 2025, at https://www.npc.qa/en/statistics/Statistical%20Releases/Economic/National%20Accounts/GDP/GDP_Q2_2025_AE.pdf.) 

• QatarEnergy LNG, 2026, Operations—Ras Laffan helium: Doha, Qatar, QatarEnergy LNG. (Accessed March 30, 2026, at https://www.qatarenergylng.qa/english/operations/ras-laffan-helium.) 

• Trade Data Monitor, [undated], Products—Import and export statistics: Charlston, South Carolina, Tarde Data Monitor. (Accessed March 9, 2026, via https://tradedatamonitor.com/.) 

• Zen Innovations AG, [undated], Global Trade Tracker: Bern-Kehrsatz, Switzerland, Zen Innovations AG. (Accessed December 3, 2025, via https://www.globaltradetracker.com/.)