Highlights

• The USGS identifies 50 critical minerals crucial for technology, manufacturing, and national security.
• The United States remains heavily dependent on imports, particularly from China, which creates significant geopolitical risks.
• Ongoing initiatives like Earth MRI aim to develop domestic sources and diversify critical mineral supply chains.

In February 2025, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released the latest "Mineral Commodity Summaries (opens in a new tab)," reaffirming the nation's focus on securing critical mineral supply chains essential for economic and national security. Critical minerals are defined by the Energy Act of 2020 as non-fuel minerals vital to the U.S. economy and national security, serving essential functions in manufacturing, and possessing supply chains vulnerable to disruption. ​

The 2022 list (opens in a new tab), still in effect, identifies 50 critical minerals, including rare earth elements such as neodymium and dysprosium, as well as other vital materials like lithium, cobalt, and graphite. These minerals are integral to technologies ranging from electric vehicles and renewable energy systems to defense applications. ​

Despite domestic reserves, the U.S. remains heavily reliant on imports, particularly from China, which dominates the global supply of many critical minerals. This dependency poses significant risks, as geopolitical tensions and trade disputes can disrupt access to these essential resources. ​

Efforts to mitigate these risks include initiatives such as the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI), which aims to identify and develop domestic sources of critical minerals. Additionally, the U.S. is investing in recycling technologies and exploring partnerships to diversify supply chains.

However, challenges persist, including lengthy permitting processes and environmental concerns associated with mining and processing activities. Addressing these issues is crucial to reducing the nation's reliance on foreign sources and ensuring a stable supply of critical minerals for its future.

The List

aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barite, beryllium, bismuth, cerium, cesium, chromium, cobalt, dysprosium, erbium, europium, fluorspar, gadolinium, gallium, germanium, graphite, hafnium, holmium, indium, iridium, lanthanum, lithium, lutetium, magnesium, manganese, neodymium, nickel, niobium, palladium, platinum, praseodymium, rhodium, rubidium, ruthenium, samarium, scandium, tantalum, tellurium, terbium, thulium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, ytterbium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium