Why Minerals Matter
Educational Hub
What are critical minerals?
Critical minerals are the essential raw materials that power modern technology, clean energy, and national defense. They’re called “critical” because they’re both vital to the economy and vulnerable to supply disruptions.
Here’s a few of the most critical ones!
Lithium
Used in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles (EV’s), phones, and grid energy storage
Cobalt
Increases battery stability and energy density, essential for EV’s and aerospace applications
Rare Earth Elements
A group of 17 elements used in magnets, wind turbines, missile guidance systems, and electronics
Graphite
The key material in battery anodes and is also used in lubricants, brake linings, and fuel cells
Copper
Crucial for electric wiring, renewable energy systems, and nearly every form of electrical infrastructure
Where do they come from now?
Explore Global Critical Mineral Hotspots
Right now, the U.S. relies on foreign nations—including China, Russia, the Congo, and others—for over 80% of its critical minerals. These minerals power everything from electric vehicles to fighter jets. But this global dependency puts our national security, economy, and energy future at risk. Many of these countries have unstable governments, environmental abuses, or labor practices that wouldn’t be tolerated here at home. The good news? We have these minerals right here in the United States. Mining and refining them domestically isn’t just smarter—it’s more ethical, more sustainable, and puts American jobs and innovation first.
China (Rare Earths)
Dominates global processing with over 70% market share
Democratic Republic of Congo (Cobalt)
Supplies over 60% of the world’s cobalt
Chile (Lithium)
One of the top lithium producers, part of the “Lithium Triangle”
Australia (Nickel, Lithium)
Major global supplier with growing capacity
Buried Treasure: The future of America
The United States holds vast deposits of critical minerals and rare earth elements—enough to power our clean energy future, support advanced manufacturing, and secure national defense. From cobalt and lithium to rare earths like neodymium and dysprosium, these materials are hiding in plain sight beneath American soil. So why aren’t we mining or processing them here? For decades, we’ve outsourced this vital supply chain to countries with lower environmental standards and poor labor practices—leaving our economy vulnerable and our values compromised. It’s time for a change. America has the technology, workforce, and environmental safeguards to mine and process these minerals more cleanly and ethically than anywhere else in the world. By investing in responsible domestic production, we can reduce our dependence on authoritarian regimes, create high-quality jobs, and lead the global shift toward a sustainable, secure future.The resources are here. The urgency is now. Let’s make America mineral independent—on our terms, and for the right reasons
What Happens If We Don't Act? - We Lose
Without a secure domestic supply of critical minerals, the U.S. faces serious consequences. The electric vehicle transition will stall without enough lithium, nickel, and cobalt to power batteries. Our military systems—like fighter jets and missile guidance—rely on rare earth elements mostly controlled by China, creating dangerous vulnerabilities. Economically, we risk falling into deeper dependence on foreign suppliers, exposing industries to supply chain shocks and rising costs. And globally, without control over these vital resources, America will lose its influence in the race for clean energy, innovation, and strategic leadership.
Mineral independence isn’t optional — it’s essential.
What We Can Do
To secure mineral independence, we must fast-track permitting, support innovation in U.S. mining, build domestic refining capacity, and educate consumers on why minerals matter. These steps will reduce foreign dependence, create American jobs, and power the technologies of tomorrow—right here at home.