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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.

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.

Content

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

New Atlanticist

Dec 15, 2023

The EU needs a buyers’ club for critical minerals. Here’s why.

By Nicole Lawler, Francis Shin

The EU should invite allies and partners to participate in what would primarily be a buyers’ cartel that would pool investment and facilitate coordination of market behavior among members.

Critical Minerals
Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Oct 26, 2023

What to make of China’s latest restrictions on critical mineral exports

By Reed Blakemore

Beijing's export restrictions on graphite, gallium, and germanium are examples of how China is wielding its "resource leverage."

China
Critical Minerals

Testimony

Sep 15, 2023

Planning around strategic supply chains will require more than just ‘listing’ of critical minerals

By Reed Blakemore

We need to ensure that our minerals policy does not become overly clerkish, prescribing problems rather than solving them. Capturing the supply/demand dynamism between each critical mineral will illuminate the pathways to build a cohesive minerals strategy.

Critical Minerals
Energy & Environment

Experts