Critical Minerals Security Program

The Critical Minerals Security Program is a groundbreaking initiative providing leadership as the United States races to build the resilient minerals supply chains needed for national, economic, and energy security

The United States cannot preserve its leadership in national security, economic competitiveness, or energy resilience while remaining dependent on foreign adversaries for critical minerals. Securing these resources demands a bold, modern strategy–one that is market-led, environmentally and socially responsible, builds capacity in both production and processing, and works with allies while also forging new geopolitical alliances with resource-rich Global South countries. The Critical Minerals Security Program will build upon CSIS’s longstanding work with policymakers on both sides of the aisle to support market-led efforts to expand production and processing capabilities to improve domestic and global security. With a new paradigm, the United States can enable its diplomats, policymakers, and private sector actors to develop a secure supply chain and meet the mineral needs of the 21st century.

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Featured Analysis

Photo: Sascha Schuermann/Getty Images

Photo: Sascha Schuermann/Getty Images

Restoring the Economics of Copper Processing

Copper processing economics are under pressure. Treatment and refining charges have turned negative as Chinese smelting capacity continues to outpace global mine supply, squeezing independent smelters worldwide and exposing the limits of current U.S. and allied policy responses.

Report by Ryuhei Ono — October 1, 2026

See all analysis by Critical Minerals Security Program

Featured Project

Photo: Collection/Adobe Stock

Photo: Collection/Adobe Stock

The Copper Initiative

The Copper Initiative brings together independent analysis, dynamic events, and productive dialogues between government officials, private industry, and subject-matter experts to create policy solutions to meet future copper demand for national security, economic competitiveness and energy resilience

Featured Video Series

Photo: Yuichiro Chino/Getty Images

Mapping Minerals Diplomacy

Mapping Minerals Diplomacy is an explainer series that brings clarity to the deals, players, and policies shaping the global race for critical minerals.

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Featured Report

Photo: adimas/Adobe Stock

Photo: adimas/Adobe Stock

Critical Minerals and the Future of the U.S. Economy

Critical minerals play an indispensable role in the modern economy—yet the U.S. mineral supply chain is highly vulnerable. This edited volume offers comprehensive analysis and recommendations to create resilient supply chains for national, economic, and energy security.

Report by Gracelin Baskaran and Duncan Wood — February 10, 2025

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Restoring the Economics of Copper Processing

Copper processing economics are under pressure. Treatment and refining charges have turned negative as Chinese smelting capacity continues to outpace global mine supply, squeezing independent smelters worldwide and exposing the limits of current U.S. and allied policy responses.

Report by Ryuhei Ono — October 1, 2026

Project Vault Moves from Concept to Execution

Project Vault is moving from concept to execution. Glencore and Mercuria are committing $1 billion to source and stockpile critical minerals for U.S. manufacturers, putting the United States’ first commercial strategic minerals reserve into motion.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran — September 23, 2026

The Future of U.S.–Africa Minerals Diplomacy

Join the CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program for a high-level forum on the future of U.S-Africa cooperation in minerals and energy, and what a more commercially-focused partnership could look like.

Event — September 18, 2026

China Continues to Exploit Rare Earth Chokepoints

For years, China has used rare earth export restrictions as a tool of geopolitical leverage. What has been the actual impact of these measures and how has the United States responded?

Event — September 11, 2026

Strategic Partnerships to Secure Critical Resources and Supply Chains

The United States does not have sufficient domestic geological resources to meet its mineral needs for sectors vital to national security, economic competitiveness, and energy resilience. International partnerships not optional; they are a fundamental component of U.S. mineral security.

Congressional Testimony by Gracelin Baskaran — September 2, 2026

Keeping Aluminum in Allied Hands: The Stakes of Alcoa’s South Africa Bet

Alcoa has made the largest U.S. mining supply chain investment in South Africa in years. Whether it marks the beginning of a new wave of Western investment will depend on South Africa’s policy choices—and its ability to compete for strategic mining capital.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran — July 8, 2026

Audio Briefs

G7 Critical Minerals Ambitions and Iran's Natural Resources

An audio version of "⁠G7 Critical Minerals Ambitions and Iran's Natural Resources⁠," a new critical question by CSIS’s Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — June 18, 2026

Audio Briefs

G7 Critical Minerals Ambitions and Iran's Natural Resources

As G7 leaders discussed critical minerals coordination and strategies to de-risk supply chains, a U.S.-Iran deal opens the possibility for investment in Iran’s untapped copper as a new frontier for critical mineral investment.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — June 18, 2026