Analysis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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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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

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
Salar de Olaroz Lithium Mine, Argentina

EnergySource

Aug 16, 2023

One year after the IRA, the hard work to build resilient mineral supply chains is only beginning

By Reed Blakemore, Paddy Ryan

Twelve months since the IRA’s bet big on alternative mineral supply chains, the clean energy commodities market is changing. Washington’s strategy must change along with it.

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Aug 2, 2023

Transforming Ukraine into a European energy hub

By Richard L. Morningstar, András Simonyi, Olga Khakova, Paddy Ryan

In this issue brief, Global Energy Center experts explore the potential for Ukraine’s energy sector to strengthen European energy security and decarbonization objectives. The brief explores how Ukraine can reform its energy sector to attract investment and create new revenue streams, and how transatlantic partners in government and the private sector can support Ukraine’s clean energy transformation.

Critical Minerals Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Apr 28, 2023

Lithium drives the energy transition. Will Chile’s plan to nationalize production be a speed bump?

By Ignacia Ulloa Peters, William Tobin

While state control of resources in Latin America regularly raises the alarms of investors, Chile's strong institutions and previous success create a positive outlook for its ability to deliver.

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment
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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

GeoStrategy Initiative Global Energy Center

Technology & Innovation

Fellow

Francis R. Fannon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

Staff

Alexis Harmon

Assistant Director

Global Energy Center

Critical Minerals Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

Aubrey Hruby

Senior Advisor

Africa Center

Economy & Business

Events

Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals