Analysis

The US government should build a Resilient Resource Reserve for wartime and peacetime

New Atlanticist Aug 5, 2025

A tale of two supply chains: Comparing Trump’s new copper tariffs and rare earth investments

By Alexis Harmon, Reed Blakemore

Two recent interventions by the Trump administration highlight the importance of tailoring mineral policy on a case-by-case basis.
Critical Minerals Economy & Business
The US government should build a Resilient Resource Reserve for wartime and peacetime

Issue Brief Jul 1, 2025

A US framework for assessing risk in critical mineral supply chains

By Reed Blakemore, Peter Engelke

Critical mineral risks to US national and economic security should be evaluated on a mineral-by mineral basis
Critical Minerals Energy & Environment
The US government should build a Resilient Resource Reserve for wartime and peacetime

Trackers and Data Visualizations Jun 8, 2025

Learn how China orchestrated its rare earths dominance

By Craig Hart

Explore the decision-making processes and financial flows that power China’s rare earths ecosystem.
China Energy & Environment
The US government should build a Resilient Resource Reserve for wartime and peacetime

Report Jun 6, 2025

Keeping China at bay and critical minerals stocked: The case for US-Africa defense collaboration

By Aleksandra Gadzala Tirziu

As Russia, China, and other authoritarian powers expand their global reach, US security is at stake. To stay competitive, the United States must turn to Africa—for both critical minerals and partnership in countering rising adversarial influence on the continent.
Africa Critical Minerals
The US government should build a Resilient Resource Reserve for wartime and peacetime

New Atlanticist Apr 30, 2025

Experts react: At last, the US and Ukraine signed a minerals deal. Here’s what to expect next.

By Atlantic Council experts

After months of wrangling, Washington and Kyiv quietly finalized a much-anticipated agreement on April 30. Atlantic Council experts dig into the details.
Critical Minerals Geopolitics & Energy Security
The US government should build a Resilient Resource Reserve for wartime and peacetime

Report Dec 19, 2024

What African producers of critical minerals can learn from Indonesia’s experience

By Bradford Simmons and Julien Marcilly

Indonesia and its success with resource nationalism can serve as an example for many mineral-rich African countries.
Africa Critical Minerals

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 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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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, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.

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Content

EnergySource

Aug 29, 2024

The US government should build a Resilient Resource Reserve for wartime and peacetime

By Gregory Wischer and Morgan Bazilian

China currently dominates critical mineral supply chains, putting American security needs at risk. Congress should both incentivize domestic mineral production and mitigate supply disruptions to the US military in a potential conflict with China by building a physical stockpile of strategic minerals that would last for five years.

China
Critical Minerals

AfricaSource

Aug 14, 2024

Critical minerals investment must avoid the mistakes of the past in African mining

By Rama Yade, Sibi Nyaoga

By getting mining investment right, the United States can set a new precedent for its collaboration with African countries in other areas, such as health, security, and technology.

Africa
Critical Minerals

AfricaSource

Jul 12, 2024

Integrating artisanal mining into the formal economy would benefit African miners and economies alike

By Sarah Way

Many artisanal and small-scale miners work informally and face harsh conditions. Here's how the international community can help.

Africa
Critical Minerals

Report

Jul 1, 2024

From greenfield projects to green supply chains: Critical minerals in Africa as an investment challenge

By Aubrey Hruby

This report provides a snapshot of Africa’s mineral wealth and mining industries, draws out the similarities between the mining and infrastructure investment attraction challenges, describes the competitive landscape African nations find themselves in, and makes innovative recommendations—namely to the US government—to rapidly accelerate investment in sustainable mining industries in African markets.

Africa
Critical Minerals

AfricaSource

Jun 7, 2024

Increasing investment in African mining should be a higher priority for the United States

By Aubrey Hruby

If governments, investors, and development partners don’t make dramatic changes in the next five years, the United States will fail to counter Chinese influence in supply chains.

Africa
Critical Minerals

Report

Jun 7, 2024

Reconstructing Ukraine at war: The journey to prosperity starts now

By John E. Herbst, Olga Khakova, Charles Lichfield

Rebuilding the Ukrainian economy after Russia's full-scale invasion will be a monumental task. Reconstruction can’t wait for peace and must be a well-coordinated, inclusive process.

Critical Minerals
Economy & Business

AfricaSource

May 1, 2024

With Africa’s minerals in demand, Russia and the US each offer what the other can’t

By Alexander Tripp

African countries must choose wisely between the United States and Russia in their search for a partner on critical minerals.

Africa
Critical Minerals

EnergySource

Apr 2, 2024

US ratification of the ocean treaty will unlock deep sea mining

By Alex Gilbert and Morgan Bazilian

Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, countries including China and Russia have secured permits to explore the deep seabed’s vast supply of critical minerals. The authors argue that the United States, which has been hesitant to ratify the treaty, has much to gain by doing so now.

China
Critical Minerals

AfricaSource

Mar 18, 2024

The critical-minerals boom is here. Can Africa take advantage?

By Alexander Tripp

The critical minerals discussion on extraction, national security, and supply chains will move past Africa unless the moment is seized.

Africa
Critical Minerals

Report

Jan 31, 2024

Decarbonizing the aluminum market: Challenges and opportunities

By Nitya Aggarwal, Matthew Piotrowski, and George Frampton

This report explores the pathways to decarbonize aluminum production through the increased use of recycled scrap metal, supplying more low-carbon energy to production facilities, and increasing efficiency through new technologies.

Americas
Critical Minerals
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Experts

Staff

Alexis Harmon

Assistant Director

Global Energy Center

Critical Minerals Geopolitics & Energy Security

Staff

Reed Blakemore

Director, Research and Programs

Global Energy Center

Geopolitics & Energy Security Energy Transitions

Staff

Peter Engelke

Senior Fellow, GeoStrategy Initiative

GeoStrategy Initiative Global Energy Center

Technology & Innovation

Fellow

Francis R. Fannon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

Fellow

Aubrey Hruby

Senior Advisor

Africa Center

Economy & Business