The US government has added copper to its draft list of critical minerals, in the most significant overhaul since the list was first published in 2018.
The U.S. Geological Survey’s—USGS—update, mandated every three years under the Energy Act of 2020, now includes 54 minerals of which copper plus silicon, potash, silver, lead and rhenium were proposed for this round.
For the first time, critical minerals are now divided in 3 risk categories—high, elevated and moderate—and inclusion on the list can make projects eligible for federal funding.
Critical minerals are defined by their essential role in economic and national security, vulnerability to supply disruptions, importance in manufacturing and technology sectors, and a growing demand trajectory.
Copper’s role in modern economies is now well recognised, including in industries like construction, clean energy, electric cars, electronics, power grids, technology and machinery.
Copper also faces supply risks in the US given the country imports nearly half of what it consumes, ore grades are declining globally, and the US faces long wait times and huge investment before new mines hit their commercial stride.
The Copper Development Association in the US welcomed the move, saying “Critical Minerals status is the missing piece of a holistic set of policy solutions required to ensure a stronger, more reliable, and more resilient domestic copper industry.”
The new list is still in draft form and the final list will be published after a 30 day period of public consultation and comment.
The new list is still in draft form and the final list will be published after a 30 day period of public consultation and comment.
The US move is expected to add pressure on Australia to also recognise copper as a critical mineral, something South Australia has already done. Australia has the second largest reserves of copper in the world at 100M tonnes or $1.5 trillion at today’s prices.
Detail: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/department-interior-releases-draft-2025-list-critical-minerals
