Basics

Critical minerals are nonfuel minerals or materials that are essential building blocks of many technologies and industries that drive economic growth and national security. However, the supply chains that deliver them are often vulnerable to disruptions due to scarcity or restricted access, lack of domestic production, environmental changes, or geopolitical risks. This Basic outlines the importance of critical minerals to innovation and examines the current state of supply, market concentration, associated risks, and opportunities to diversify supply chains.