Critical minerals play a vital role in driving modern technology, clean energy solutions, and national security measures. These minerals are essential for manufacturing batteries, semiconductors, renewable energy systems, and defense applications like antimony. They are the cornerstone of a sustainable future, fueling the growth of clean technologies.
The United States, along with many other nations, is actively working to secure its access to these critical materials amidst increasing geopolitical complexities and a surge in demand. This commitment is underscored by the recent funding announcement from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The agency has disclosed a $45 million investment to establish regional consortia dedicated to critical minerals and materials research and development.
America’s reliance on critical minerals imports is significant, with the U.S. depending on other countries for over 95% of 13 key minerals. China emerges as a major supplier, providing more than half of these critical minerals, as per data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Consequently, the government is diligently working to reduce this dependency through initiatives like the DOE’s recent funding injection.
The funding is set to support six projects focused on extracting minerals from unconventional and secondary sources, such as coal by-products, waste from the petroleum industry, and acid mine drainage. These innovative approaches not only aim to decrease reliance on imports but also promise to generate high-wage employment opportunities and environmental advantages.
For instance, the University of Texas at Austin is investigating resources in the Gulf Coast and Permian Basin, while Virginia Polytechnic Institute is exploring critical minerals in the Appalachian Mountains. These endeavors align with the DOE’s Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative, which has expanded its reach to cover eight regions across the United States.
The U.S. DOE’s CORE-CM Initiative is a long-term endeavor designed to boost regional economic growth and job creation. It prioritizes accelerating the development of upstream and midstream critical mineral supply chains crucial for clean energy technologies and national security measures. Brad Crabtree, Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, highlights the dual benefits of these efforts, emphasizing the importance of securing a domestic supply chain for critical minerals.
The approach of incoming President Donald Trump towards critical minerals presents a mixed outlook. While he has criticized Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as a “green scam,” with promises to repeal it if re-elected, Trump’s previous policies indicate a strong focus on achieving critical mineral self-sufficiency. In 2020, Trump declared foreign dependence on critical minerals a national emergency, advocating for increased domestic production of these resources.
Despite opposing the IRA’s renewable energy spending, Trump’s administration supported industrial revitalization efforts, including a $75 million investment to upgrade Constellium’s aluminum mill, underscoring the continued priority placed on critical minerals. Trump’s “America First” stance aims to reduce U.S. reliance on China for critical minerals, with the DOE and DOD directing investments towards domestic metal production, particularly targeting materials like lithium and antimony.
Antimony emerges as a critical mineral of strategic importance due to its versatile applications in battery technology, solar panels, flame retardants, and ammunition production. However, the U.S. currently heavily relies on imports, primarily from China, for its antimony supply, highlighting the significance of projects like the Stibnite Gold-Antimony Project in Idaho.
Perpetua Resources Corp., the company leading the Stibnite Gold-Antimony Project, recently obtained approval from the U.S. Forest Service to commence development after years of environmental studies, tribal consultations, and regulatory reviews. The project’s domestic supply potential, reducing foreign reliance, and its strategic importance for national security make it a crucial endeavor.
Another key player in securing a stable antimony supply is Military Metals Corp. (MILI.V), with strategic assets in Slovakia and Canada. The company is revitalizing historical mining sites in Trojarova, Slovakia, and West Gore, Nova Scotia, aiming to unlock significant antimony resources to meet defense and renewable energy needs.
The focus on critical minerals extends beyond traditional mining practices, with the DOE and private companies exploring innovative and sustainable methods for mineral recovery. Secondary and unconventional feedstocks like coal waste and acid mine drainage present untapped opportunities for sourcing these materials. Projects like those at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Wyoming showcase the potential of leveraging local resources to build a resilient critical mineral supply chain.
The U.S. government’s investments and private sector initiatives are paving the way for a future where critical minerals are sourced sustainably and domestically. The strategic role of antimony in this landscape underscores its importance, with the U.S. positioning itself to lead in the global race for these essential resources.
