Shiny Objects
Repositioning the United States for Critical Mineral Success

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

MAIN ARGUMENT

One of the building blocks of the modern global economy is a class of minerals for which there was not much demand just a few decades ago. These minerals are essential for meeting the challenge of climate change through a transition to cleaner energy, which is driving demand even higher. The U.S. does not now have a sufficient and sustainable supply of these critical minerals, which is an increasingly significant environmental, economic, and geopolitical vulnerability. Although the Biden administration is harnessing a bipartisan consensus to take steps to improve the U.S. position on critical minerals, these efforts will not be enough without a more strategic approach. The future of U.S. economic and geostrategic competitiveness, especially with China, hangs in the balance.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

The U.S. needs a comprehensive critical mineral strategy that ties together all the various existing and emerging policy and statutory initiatives and aspirations in a purposeful, coherent, and mutually reinforcing approach. Key elements of that strategy should include the following:

• domestic investments and international cooperation and investment
• analysis of the demand growth for critical minerals
• comprehensive environmental, social, and governance standards, not only for U.S. companies but also for allies and partners as part of a shared commitment and comparative advantage
• innovation in mining, processing, recycling, and end use of critical minerals
• modernization of U.S. policy, legal, and institutional infrastructure for critical minerals

Sharon E. Burke is the Founder and President of Ecospherics.