China’s Role in Critical Mineral Supply Chains

Critical minerals are non-fuel minerals or mineral materials essential to the economic or national security of the U.S. They have no viable substitutes yet face a high risk of supply chain disruption. Critical minerals are used for many different purposes, including the production of advanced electronics, weapons systems, manufacturing equipment, and cutting-edge medical devices. They are indispensable for the transition to low-carbon energy sources. Last year, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, with the aid of the U.S. Geological Survey, published a list of 50 critical minerals. 

China dominates global critical mineral supply chains, accounting for approximately 60% of world-wide production and 85% of processing capacity. However, the U.S. and several European countries are taking steps to build out their own ability to mine, process, and manufacture critical minerals. To discuss the implications of China’s role in critical mineral supply chains and the responses of the U.S. and its partners, host Bonnie Glaser is joined by Abigail Wulf, vice president and director of the Ambassador Alfred Hoffman Jr. Center for Critical Minerals Strategy at Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE), a non-profit advancing transformative transportation technology to enhance energy security.

Time Stamps

[01:51] Vulnerabilities and Risks of Overdependence 

[07:07] Development of a Domestic Mining Industry 

[12:42] Environmental Hazards of Processing Raw Minerals 

[18:30] Impact of Export Controls on Gallium and Germanium

[22:53] Diversifying Sources of Rare Earth Imports

[26:38] The Critical Raw Materials Act

[29:58] The Mineral Security Partnership