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.

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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

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Drivers of Base Metals Price Volatility

There are three key reasons why most base metal prices are at a multiyear low: macroeconomic headwinds, a sluggish Chinese economy, and Chinese market manipulation that has generated commodity surpluses.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran — June 7, 2024

Recommendations for Building Zambia’s Copper Industry

The United States should strengthen its minerals diplomacy with Zambia by supporting a geological mapping, investing in energy infrastructure, and upgrading existing rail and port infrastructure.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran and Florence Yu — June 4, 2024

Leveraging Argentina’s Mineral Resources for Economic Growth

Despite facing significant macroeconomic challenges, Argentina remains one of the most attractive mining jurisdictions in the world, given both its mineral potential and the stability of its investor-friendly mining policies.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran and Florence Yu — May 14, 2024

De-risking Critical Mineral Supply Chains: The Role of Latin America

CSIS Americas Program deputy director and senior fellow Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Nathaniel Laske, and Henry Ziemer outline a strategy for the United States to more effectively engage Latin American countries on de-risking their mineral supply chains.

Commentary by Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, and Nathaniel Laske — April 11, 2024

How to Reform the DFC to Meet U.S. Critical Minerals Security Needs

The U.S. government has turned to the DFC for financing its minerals security needs abroad, but it is not designed to meet the challenges at hand. Reforming it during the 2025 reauthorizations is key to meeting U.S. security goals.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran — March 29, 2024

The United States Should Fix the FEOC Guidance

In response to allies, the U.S. administration should clarify its “foreign entity of concern” language by closing loopholes that its guidance inadvertently created.

Commentary by Frank Fannon — March 14, 2024

Book Event: The War Below with Author Ernest Scheyder

Please join the CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program for a conversation with Ernest Scheyder, Senior Correspondent at Reuters, on his new book, The War Below: Lithium, Copper, and the Global Battle to Power Our Lives.

Event — March 11, 2024

Critical Minerals' Role in the Energy Transition

This week, Adam Johnson, Managing Partner with Metis Endeavor, joins Gracelin Baskaran to share his insights on the role of critical minerals in the energy transition.

Transcript — February 20, 2024