Critical Minerals

Critical Minerals

Critical minerals power the economies, technologies, and defense systems of the twenty-first century, but their complex supply chains remain vulnerable and geopolitically fraught. Throughout its work, the Atlantic Council highlights key global challenges related to critical minerals and actionable strategies to fortify national, economic, and energy security.

Analysis

How to secure the flow of fertilizers? Let’s talk about potash.

Dispatches Feb 12, 2026

US critical minerals policy goes collaborative with FORGE

By Reed Blakemore, Alexis Harmon

The Trump administration’s recently announced Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement, or FORGE, is a step forward in its critical minerals agenda.
Critical Minerals Energy & Environment
How to secure the flow of fertilizers? Let’s talk about potash.

Report Feb 10, 2026

Mining corridors as catalysts: Building on the Lobito model

By Aubrey Hruby

The financing approach and public-private cooperation used to build the Lobito transportation corridor offers a playbook for the US and African governments and investors as they seek to tap Africa’s critical mineral wealth.
Africa Critical Minerals
How to secure the flow of fertilizers? Let’s talk about potash.

Dispatches Jan 13, 2026

Greenland’s critical minerals require patient statecraft

By Reed Blakemore, Alexis Harmon

The island’s mineral wealth will take a decade or more to translate into meaningful supply.
Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

Workstreams

Global Energy Center

Critical energy supply chains

Strengthening national security and industrial competitiveness through energy diplomacy, strategic trade initiatives, and industrial and innovation policy.
Africa Center

Critical Minerals Task Force

The Africa Center’s Critical Minerals Task Force serves as a leading platform for research and discussion on the burgeoning critical mineral partnership between African countries and the United States.

Events

Public Event Tue, January 27, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

Korea Zinc Chairman Yun B. Choi on allied partnership for minerals security

Choi discusses emerging models for allied cooperation on critical mineral supply chain resilience.
East Asia Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
Public Event Thu, December 11, 2025 • 1:00 pm ET

2025 Critical Minerals Supply Chains Summit

Senior government officials, industry leaders, and global experts convene to chart a path toward secure and competitive minerals supply chains.

Defense Industry Economy & Business Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
Public Event Fri, May 16, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Critical minerals and the pathways to prosperity, peace, and security in the DRC

Following the DRC’s offer of a critical minerals deal with the US and high level talks, the Africa Center hosts a series of conversations with experts to provide a roadmap on investment priorities to the private and public sector.
Africa Critical Minerals Democratic Republic of the Congo Economy & Business
Online Event Wed, February 16, 2022 • 10:00 am ET

Preparing the United States for a mineral-intensive future

Global Energy Center experts discuss the mineral supply challenge facing the United States as it intensifies its climate ambition.
Critical Minerals Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security Renewables & Advanced Energy

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Explore the programs

The Africa Center works to promote dynamic geopolitical partnerships with African states and to redirect US and European policy priorities toward strengthening security and bolstering economic growth and prosperity on the continent.

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The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, drive economic opportunity, and foster a sustainable energy future.

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Content

Dispatches

Jul 17, 2026

How to secure the flow of fertilizers? Let’s talk about potash.

By Melanie De Vincentiis

Washington should advance an internationally minded policy approach toward mined nutrients, paying special attention to potash.

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

Report

Jul 16, 2026

Artificial intelligence and the future of African mining

By Anthony Carroll and Jef Karel Caers

Artificial intelligence and digitalization offer African states, the United States, and allied partners an opportunity to move beyond legacy constraints and one-sided partnerships in the mining sector.

Africa Artificial Intelligence

Issue Brief

Jun 11, 2026

To stop Chinese dual-use battery dominance, the United States and South Korea need to team up

By Joseph Webster, Alvin Camba, Emily E. Kim

Should China establish a global monopoly across battery supply chains, the military, strategic, and commercial implications for the US-ROK alliance will be profound.

China Critical Minerals

EnergySource

Jun 10, 2026

Leading bipartisan lawmakers on how to achieve US energy ‘dominance’

By Katherine Golden

At the 2026 Global Energy Forum, lawmakers leading the charge on US energy security discussed their efforts and the role that allies can play.

China Critical Minerals

Report

Jun 5, 2026

Innovation as resilience: Demand-side strategies for critical mineral supply chain security

By Alexis Harmon, Reed Blakemore

Policies designed to secure critical mineral supplies have a blind spot: they focus primarily on sourcing but underuse demand-side strategies.

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

Dispatches

Jun 3, 2026

Europe has had enough of China’s export surge

By Piotr Arak

Can advanced industrial democracies preserve manufacturing capacity in the face of state-backed overproduction on a continental scale?

Critical Minerals Economy & Business

AfricaSource

May 29, 2026

The race for Madagascar has already started

By Maureen Farrell, Rose Keravuori

Often overlooked by Western policymakers, Madagascar holds major critical mineral reserves and sits astride key maritime routes. As Russia deepens ties, the United States can’t afford to cede strategic ground.

Africa Critical Minerals

Global Energy Agenda

May 20, 2026

Responsibility is the surest path to resilience in the Minerals Age

By Rohitesh Dhawan

As governments race to secure minerals to meet growing energy demand, responsible mining is emerging as a practical path forward to build resilient, enduring supply chains.

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

MENASource

May 18, 2026

How Gulf investments are responding to the US-China critical minerals competition

By Chenjie Song and Jonathan Fulton

Gulf sovereign wealth funds are seeking to maximize return on investment while maintaining strategic optionality.

China Critical Minerals

Balkans Debrief

May 8, 2026

Are the Balkans the Key to Europe’s Critical Raw Materials? A Debrief with Rizos, Adams & Pop

Ilva Tare speaks with Vasileios Rizos, Kirk Adams, and Daniel Pop to discuss critical raw materials in the Western Balkans.

Critical Minerals Economy & Business
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Experts

Staff

Reed Blakemore

Director, Research and Programs

Global Energy Center

Geopolitics & Energy Security Energy Transitions

Staff

Peter Engelke

Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Global Energy Center

Technology & Innovation

Fellow

Francis R. Fannon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

Staff

Alexis Harmon

Associate Director

Global Energy Center

Critical Minerals Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

Aubrey Hruby

Senior Advisor

Africa Center

Economy & Business

Staff

Sarah Way

Program Assistant

Africa Center

Africa Critical Minerals