Highlights
- Utah is the world’s top producer of beryllium and the only US producer of magnesium metal, with a diverse mineral portfolio covering 28 critical minerals.
- The state’s mineral-rich geology positions it as a key player in domestic mineral independence, with potential for future rare earth element production.
- Utah’s mining capabilities span industries from aerospace and defense to green energy, making it a crucial hub for strategic mineral extraction.
Utah stands out as a critical mineral hub in the United States, boasting a diverse geological landscape rich in essential elements for industries ranging from defense to green energy. The Utah Mining Association (UMA) highlights the state’s significant role in domestic mineral production, with a portfolio covering 28 of the 35 minerals deemed critical by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Leading the Nation in Key Minerals
Utah is the world’s top producer of beryllium, a lightweight metal crucial for aerospace and military applications. The top producer of beryllium in the United States has historically been a major global producer, with the Spor Mountain mine in Juab County accounting for a significant portion of the world’s beryllium supply. The Beehive State is also the only U.S. producer of magnesium metal—a strategic material for manufacturing and defense. The state plays a dominant role in potash production, an essential fertilizer ingredient, and is a byproduct producer of platinum, palladium, and rhenium from its world-famous Bingham Canyon copper-molybdenum mine. Additionally, Utah extracts helium from natural gas streams, a commodity in high demand for medical, industrial, and scientific use.
Beyond these key minerals, Utah holds defined resources of lithium, uranium, and vanadium, which are vital for battery technologies and nuclear energy. The state has also historically produced antimony, barite, germanium, gallium, manganese, tellurium, and tungsten—all critical for technology, defense, and industrial applications.
Rare Earth Elements–An Untapped Opportunity
While Utah does not currently produce rare earth elements (REEs) at scale, studies suggest they could be a byproduct of beryllium mine tailings. Given the growing U.S. dependence on China for REEs, Utah’s potential reserves offer future domestic production opportunities. With further exploration and processing development, Utah could strategically strengthen America’s rare earth supply chain.
The Future of Critical Minerals in Utah
As the demand for critical minerals surges, Utah is well-positioned to expand its mining and processing capabilities. The state’s mineral-rich geology, established mining industry, and ongoing exploration efforts suggest that it will remain a key player in securing U.S. mineral independence for years to come.
See the link to the Utah Mining Association (opens in a new tab).
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