Khaberni - The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday a new list of strategic minerals considered essential for the U.S. economy and national security, adding copper and metallurgical coal.
Copper is a key input in the electric vehicle industry, power networks, and data centers, while metallurgical coal is used in the production of coke.
Federal investments and permitting decisions are guided by the Department of the Interior’s list, which also contributes to shaping the government's broader strategy regarding minerals.
The U.S. administration is expanding the list amid efforts to support the domestic mining sector and reduce reliance on imports, particularly from economic competitor China.
The list serves as a blueprint for Washington's endeavor to secure supplies of materials necessary for defense, manufacturing industries, and clean energy technology.
The list identifies projects eligible for federal incentives and national priorities in stockpiles and research activities, guiding private sector investors towards sectors the government sees as having long-term strategic value.
Officials and industry leaders say that boosting domestic production can help insulate the United States from potential supply shocks or export restrictions imposed by competing countries like China, which globally dominates refining activities for many strategic minerals.
The Department of the Interior said upon announcing the list, "Strategic minerals are essential for national security, economic stability, and supply chain resilience because they support key industries, drive technological innovation, and underpin the critical infrastructure of the modern American economy."
