Gracelin Baskaran

Director, Critical Minerals Security Program
5Baskaran

Dr. Gracelin Baskaran is director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She is a mining economist, and her primary expertise is in critical minerals and trade. She began her career in South Africa’s platinum belt. She later spent five years at the World Bank in South Africa, where she coauthored the book Africa’s Resource Future: Harnessing Natural Resources for Economic Transformation during the Low-Carbon Transition. She was a Fulbright Scholar and has also held positions at the University of Cambridge, University of London, and University of Cape Town. Dr. Baskaran recently published a policy playbook, Critical Minerals and the Future of the United States Economy, and is now writing a book on an international strategy for critical minerals engagement for the United States. She has been cited as an expert in The Economist, the Financial Times, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Fox, BBC, Bloomberg, and the U.S. International Trade Commission. Dr. Baskaran has also published over 150 op-eds and columns, policy reports, and white papers and published research in the Mineral Economics journal. She is a regular speaker at leading international mining and energy conferences, universities, and policymaker forums, and she has testified before Congress. Dr. Baskaran holds a doctorate from the University of Cambridge.

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Gracelin Baskaran's Reports

Photo: Mulderphoto/Adobe Stock

Photo: Mulderphoto/Adobe Stock

Rebuilding U.S. Zinc Capacity in an Era of Global Competition

Once a zinc processing leader, the U.S. now faces supply chain risks from limited refining, import reliance, and China’s dominance—demanding urgent action to expand domestic capacity, strengthen allied ties, and spur investment in the steel and semiconductor industries.

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Brief by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — May 5, 2025

Gracelin Baskaran's Analysis

Photo: CSIS

Photo: CSIS

Trade in Critical Supply Chains

The U.S. must act urgently to secure critical minerals vital to national security and economic competitiveness. This includes collaboration with allies, which will be key to competing with China’s dominance and building resilient supply chains.

Congressional Testimony by Gracelin Baskaran — May 14, 2025

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The Truth of the Matter

Trump’s Middle East Minerals Deal

Gracelin Baskaran, director of the CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program, joins the podcast to discuss potential minerals deals with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar during President Trump’s trip to the Middle East.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Gracelin Baskaran — May 14, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter

Trade in Critical Supply Chains

The U.S. must act urgently to secure critical minerals vital to national security and economic competitiveness. This includes collaboration with allies, which will be key to competing with China’s dominance and building resilient supply chains.

Congressional Testimony by Gracelin Baskaran — May 14, 2025

Underexplored and Undervalued: Addressing Africa’s Mineral Exploration Gap

Africa is a resource-rich continent, yet its share of global exploration spending has dropped by over a third since 2004—highlighting a mismatch between geological potential and actual investment. Exploration incentives should be a central pillar of minerals diplomacy.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran — May 9, 2025

Audio Briefs

G7 Cooperation to De-Risk Minerals Investments in the Global South

An audio version of “⁠G7 Cooperation to De-Risk Minerals Investments in the Global South⁠,” a new commentary by CSIS's Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — May 7, 2025

Audio Briefs

G7 Cooperation to De-Risk Minerals Investments in the Global South

The G7 must act decisively on critical minerals security at this year’s summit. Establishing a dedicated G7 investment fund could unlock high-priority projects, de-risk investments, and catalyze private capital—strengthening supply chains and reducing key vulnerabilities.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — May 7, 2025

Audio Briefs

Rebuilding U.S. Zinc Capacity in an Era of Global Competition

An audio version of “⁠⁠Rebuilding U.S. Zinc Capacity in an Era of Global Competition⁠⁠,” a new brief by CSIS's Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — May 5, 2025

Audio Briefs

Rebuilding U.S. Zinc Capacity in an Era of Global Competition

Once a zinc processing leader, the U.S. now faces supply chain risks from limited refining, import reliance, and China’s dominance—demanding urgent action to expand domestic capacity, strengthen allied ties, and spur investment in the steel and semiconductor industries.

Brief by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — May 5, 2025