Critical Minerals Security Program

The Critical Minerals Security Program is a groundbreaking initiative providing leadership as the United States races to build the resilient minerals supply chains needed for national, economic, and energy security

The United States cannot preserve its leadership in national security, economic competitiveness, or energy resilience while remaining dependent on foreign adversaries for critical minerals. Securing these resources demands a bold, modern strategy–one that is market-led, environmentally and socially responsible, builds capacity in both production and processing, and works with allies while also forging new geopolitical alliances with resource-rich Global South countries. The Critical Minerals Security Program will build upon CSIS’s longstanding work with policymakers on both sides of the aisle to support market-led efforts to expand production and processing capabilities to improve domestic and global security. With a new paradigm, the United States can enable its diplomats, policymakers, and private sector actors to develop a secure supply chain and meet the mineral needs of the 21st century.

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Featured Analysis

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Photo: 3dmitry/Adobe Stock

Keeping Aluminum in Allied Hands: The Stakes of Alcoa’s South Africa Bet

Alcoa has made the largest U.S. mining supply chain investment in South Africa in years. Whether it marks the beginning of a new wave of Western investment will depend on South Africa’s policy choices—and its ability to compete for strategic mining capital.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran — July 8, 2026

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Featured Project

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Photo: Collection/Adobe Stock

The Copper Initiative

The Copper Initiative brings together independent analysis, dynamic events, and productive dialogues between government officials, private industry, and subject-matter experts to create policy solutions to meet future copper demand for national security, economic competitiveness and energy resilience

Featured Video Series

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Mapping Minerals Diplomacy

Mapping Minerals Diplomacy is an explainer series that brings clarity to the deals, players, and policies shaping the global race for critical minerals.

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Featured Report

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Photo: adimas/Adobe Stock

Critical Minerals and the Future of the U.S. Economy

Critical minerals play an indispensable role in the modern economy—yet the U.S. mineral supply chain is highly vulnerable. This edited volume offers comprehensive analysis and recommendations to create resilient supply chains for national, economic, and energy security.

Report by Gracelin Baskaran and Duncan Wood — February 10, 2025

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The Future of U.S.–Africa Minerals Diplomacy

Join the CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program for a high-level forum on the future of U.S-Africa cooperation in minerals and energy, and what a more commercially-focused partnership could look like.

Event — September 18, 2026

Keeping Aluminum in Allied Hands: The Stakes of Alcoa’s South Africa Bet

Alcoa has made the largest U.S. mining supply chain investment in South Africa in years. Whether it marks the beginning of a new wave of Western investment will depend on South Africa’s policy choices—and its ability to compete for strategic mining capital.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran — July 8, 2026

G7 Critical Minerals Ambitions and Iran's Natural Resources

As G7 leaders discussed critical minerals coordination and strategies to de-risk supply chains, a U.S.-Iran deal opens the possibility for investment in Iran’s untapped copper as a new frontier for critical mineral investment.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — June 18, 2026

Audio Briefs

G7 Critical Minerals Ambitions and Iran's Natural Resources

An audio version of "⁠G7 Critical Minerals Ambitions and Iran's Natural Resources⁠," a new critical question 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 — June 18, 2026

Audio Briefs
Audio Briefs

Why the West Keeps Losing Critical Mineral Assets to China

An audio version of "⁠Why the West Keeps Losing Critical Mineral Assets to China⁠," a new commentary by CSIS’s Gracelin Baskaran. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Gracelin Baskaran — June 2, 2026

Audio Briefs

Why the West Keeps Losing Critical Mineral Assets to China

China is winning the race for critical minerals long before mines enter production. As Chinese firms acquire strategic mineral assets worldwide, the United States and its allies need new tools to identify, protect, and compete for ownership of future supply.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran — June 2, 2026

Rare Earth Export Restrictions One Year Later

China’s 2025 rare earth export restrictions exposed a critical U.S. national security vulnerability. Washington responded with billions in financing and global partnerships. One year on, we assess the response—and how far the United States still is from true resilience.

Brief by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — April 27, 2026

Minerals Diplomacy Meets Market Reality: The Case of Pakistan

Pakistan’s mineral resources offer long-term potential for diversifying supply chains. However, security risks, weak institutions, and structural constraints are foundational challenges that increase risk exposure for any U.S.–Pakistan minerals partnership.

Report by Meredith Schwartz and Gracelin Baskaran — April 15, 2026

Audio Briefs

Winning the Minerals Race Requires Building Demand, Not Just Supply

An audio version of “⁠Winning the Minerals Race Requires Building Demand, Not Just Supply⁠,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Gracelin Baskaran. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Gracelin Baskaran — April 3, 2026

Audio Briefs