Critical Minerals

The Critical Minerals Security Program aims to provide policy and thought leadership as the United States races to build the resilient minerals supply chains needed for national, economic, and energy security.

Latest Analysis

Photo: Farah Nosh/Getty Images

Photo: Farah Nosh/Getty Images

The Geostrategic Importance of Alaska to the U.S.-Japan Alliance

Alaska’s geostrategic importance to the U.S.-Japan alliance is growing. Japan Chair Adjunct Fellow Shoichi Itoh analyzes how Alaska supports the economic security of both countries against the backdrop of great power rivalry.

Commentary by Shoichi Itoh — May 12, 2025

See all analysis on Critical Minerals

Past Events

See all events on Critical Minerals

Related Programs

Experts

All Critical Minerals Content

Filter by

31 - 40 of 87 results

Latin America: The World's Copper Stronghold

Copper is essential for meeting not only clean energy needs, but also the electronics, infrastructure, and technologies that power the modern economy. US-Latin America cooperation is vital given it’s home to the world’s largest copper reserves.

Digital Report by Gracelin Baskaran, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, and Fabio Murgia — November 13, 2024

U.S. Department of Treasury Releases Final Ruling on Section 45X

On October 24, the U.S. Department of Treasury released its final rule on Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit. The final rule changes previously controversial guidance, offering mineral producers significant benefits that were previously inaccessible.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — November 6, 2024

From Mine to Microchip

The United States relies on China and Russia for minerals used in semiconductors, posing a clear national security risk. While the CHIPS Act has built downstream U.S. capacity, upstream incentives are needed to secure materials for the next generation of advanced chips.

Brief by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — October 7, 2024

Partnering with Middle Eastern Countries to Boost U.S. Minerals Security

Current critical minerals initiatives are insufficient and exclude a key region: the Middle East. The United States should pursue mineral partnerships with Gulf Cooperation Council nations to reduce national security risks posed by China-dominated supply chains.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran — September 6, 2024

Diversifying Investment in Indonesia’s Mining Sector

The United States and Indonesia should strengthen bilateral investment and trade in responsibly sourced nickel and copper.This can help reduce Indonesia's reliance on China and strengthen U.S. supply chain security, since it has less than 1 percent of the world's nickel.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran — July 11, 2024

Digging Deeper: Building Our Critical Minerals Workforce

China has emerged as the dominant player in the critical minerals supply chains that are essential to U.S. energy and security. To counter this, the U.S. should develop a strategy to bolster its own critical minerals supply chain and reduce its mineral dependency on China.

Congressional Testimony by Gracelin Baskaran — June 12, 2024