In the United States, energy and mineral policy has seen a marked shift in recent days, reflecting significant strategic, economic, and political changes. The US Department of Energy announced plans for over one billion dollars in new funding focused on advancing research, production, and processing of critical minerals and rare earth materials. These investments are designed to bolster domestic supply chains and support technologies crucial to industries such as clean energy, electronics, and defense, all while reducing the country’s reliance on foreign sources. According to Mintz, lawmakers in Congress are specifically targeting funding and new legislative proposals in the National Defense Authorization Act to strengthen the national critical minerals supply chain, highlighting new urgency around national security and economic stability.
The Department of Interior has taken visible steps to further secure domestic energy resources by moving forward with major coal lease sales in Alabama, Utah, and Montana. The Bureau of Land Management expects the Montana sale to extend mining operations until at least 2051, supporting local economies and providing jobs, as described by Mining Technology. Additionally, new coal mining authorization in Tennessee could yield nearly two million tons of coal until 2034. These actions emphasize the Trump administration’s move away from renewable energy initiatives, as the administration has recently canceled several large solar and wind projects, imposed tougher permit requirements, and abandoned further offshore wind plans according to Mintz.
A landmark proposal emerged last week, with the Department of Interior suggesting that silver be added to the nation's official Critical Minerals List for 2025. USA Gold reports this is the first time silver could be upgraded to this status, reflecting its increasing use in technology, renewable energy, and national defense systems. With more than forty percent of US silver imports coming from Mexico, the proposed designation aims to mitigate supply chain risks and could qualify domestic projects for federal support and streamlined regulation.
The attention to critical minerals also comes amid the findings of the International Energy Agency’s 2025 Global Critical Minerals Outlook. The agency warns of ongoing price volatility and supply bottlenecks, and it underscores the strategic urgency for both the US and global stakeholders to diversify mineral sources, pursue international partnerships, and increase recycling. This global context is heightened by new agreements under the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan, which now includes endorsements by Australia, India, and Korea, aiming to forecast demand and grow new mining and refining projects.
Meanwhile, Mergers and Acquisitions activities are accelerating in the mineral sector globally, particularly in lithium, copper, and nickel, driven by rising demand for electrification and clean energy. According to Bird and Bird, US producers and investors are facing both new opportunities and regulatory hurdles as nations increasingly view energy minerals as matters of security and sovereignty.
In the academic arena, Penn State University is launching an EarthTalks seminar series focusing on the economic and security imperatives of critical minerals, bringing attention to the US’ vast but underdeveloped mineral wealth and the urgent need for coherent policy solutions, especially as import levels hit record highs.
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