Modern War Institute The US Military's Critical Minerals Challenge
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Jul 26, 2025 Morgan Bazilian, Director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy, highlights the pressing issues surrounding the U.S. military's dependency on critical minerals, especially rare earth elements. He discusses the shrinking National Defense Stockpile and the vulnerabilities posed by China's dominance in mineral supply chains. Bazilian emphasizes the need for domestic production and strategic partnerships to enhance national security. The conversation also touches on the shift towards innovative military technologies and the evolving landscape of defense procurement in a geopolitically tense environment.
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Understanding Critical Minerals
- Critical minerals include about 50 elements vital for defense and technology, with rare earths as a notable subset of 17 elements.
- The Department of Defense uniquely focuses on full supply chains and future conflict scenarios to evaluate critical mineral needs.
China's Supply Chain Control
- Ample critical minerals exist worldwide but economic, permitting, and market competition constraints limit U.S. development.
- China dominates processing and refining due to long-term planning, workforce, and lower social license hurdles.
Facilitating Investment in Critical Minerals
- To attract private investment in critical minerals, ensure government backing with equity, offtake agreements, and price floors.
- Such public-private partnerships reduce risk and build confidence for financing massive and uncertain projects.