Critical Minerals

Critical minerals have been called the oil of the twenty-first century and are crucial in cutting-edge defense and AI technologies. CSIS is spearheading research on how critical minerals and their supply chains can impact global economies, technology competition, and national security.

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Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Project Vault Moves from Concept to Execution

Project Vault is moving from concept to execution. Glencore and Mercuria are committing $1 billion to source and stockpile critical minerals for U.S. manufacturers, putting the United States’ first commercial strategic minerals reserve into motion.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran — September 23, 2026

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Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department

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Project Vault Moves from Concept to Execution

Project Vault is moving from concept to execution. Glencore and Mercuria are committing $1 billion to source and stockpile critical minerals for U.S. manufacturers, putting the United States’ first commercial strategic minerals reserve into motion.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran — September 23, 2026

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

China Continues to Exploit Rare Earth Chokepoints

For years, China has used rare earth export restrictions as a tool of geopolitical leverage. What has been the actual impact of these measures and how has the United States responded?

Event — September 11, 2026

The Trade Guys

Zainab Usman on Critical Minerals and AGOA

Bill and Scott welcome Zainab Usman, senior research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, to discuss critical minerals and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Podcast Episode by Scott Miller and William Alan Reinsch — August 17, 2026

CSIS The Trade Guys

Aligning the U.S. and Canadian Defense Industrial Bases

On this episode of All About the Base, Dr. Jerry McGinn unpacks U.S.-Canadian industrial integration with Ms. Joanne Lostracco, Minister at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and Director General of Defence Procurement with Public Services & Procurement Canada.

Event — July 13, 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

Is the Industrial Base on a Wartime Footing? A Progress Report

On this episode of All About the Base, Dr. Jerry McGinn assesses where progress toward placing the industrial base on a wartime footing is being made across priority areas like munitions, supply chains, and allied cooperation, and identifies where greater focus is needed.

Event — June 29, 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

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

Economic Warfare and Military Power

As strategic competition intensifies, the United States needs a clearer way to use finance, trade, industrial policy, and regulation to strengthen its own defense base while making it harder for adversaries to turn economic strength into military power. 

Brief by Benjamin Jensen and Jacob Clayton — May 26, 2026