Critical Minerals Resiliency

• Various leaders have expressed concerns about the U.S. reliance on imports of critical minerals.
• There is the potential for disrupting supply chains which rely on critical minerals for various uses such as electronics and defense applications.
• A list of 35 minerals considered critical to the U.S. security and economy was published in 2019.
• It consists of all the rare earth elements along with many non-ferrous metals.
• The U.S. is 100% reliant on importing 14 minerals among the critical minerals list (except from the small amount that is recycled).
• These minerals are difficult to substitute. 
• Additionally, the country is over 75% reliant on other 10 critical minerals.
• The existing objective of U.S. mineral policy is to ensure a stable, adequate, and reliable supply of materials for national safety, economic productivity, and industrial well-being.
• The mineral policy pushes for the development of a domestic supply of critical minerals and emphasizes that the private sector processes and produces these minerals.
• According to the Department of Commerce, the U.S. is heavily dependent on imports of critical minerals.
• Congress and other decision-making bodies have many administrative and legislative options to consider when addressing the U.S. vulnerabilities in relation to critical minerals.
• The economic success and national security of the U.S. is highly dependent on the guaranteed supply of critical minerals and their supply chains' resiliency.