U.S. Proposes Including Copper, Silicon, Silver on 2025 Critical Minerals List Amid Supply Chain Concerns

The U.S. Department of the Interior has submitted a draft update to the Federal Register proposing the addition of copper, potash, silicon, silver, lead and rhenium to the nation’s 2025 critical minerals list. This list, which now encompasses 54 minerals deemed essential for economic and security interests, will be open for public comment over the next 30 days.

Under the three-year review cycle, inclusion on the critical minerals list offers projects access to federal funding, streamlined permitting pathways and potential relief from import tariffs. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum emphasized that the draft list will guide efforts to reduce reliance on foreign sources and bolster domestic mining and processing capacity.

The U.S. copper industry has long advocated for official recognition of copper’s strategic importance, citing its role in power grids, electric vehicles and defense systems. Designation as a critical mineral promises to incentivize exploration and development by easing regulatory hurdles and improving access to capital.

During the previous administration, revitalizing American metals and mineral production became a top priority, with copper specifically highlighted for its foundational applications in infrastructure and clean energy. Juan Ignacio Díaz, Global President of the International Copper Association, noted that copper’s critical status reflects its dual role as an enabler of electrification and a potential chokepoint in strained supply chains.

Potash producers have similarly lobbied for critical mineral status to reinforce the case for tariff exemptions. The majority of U.S. potash imports originate in Canada, which supplies roughly four-fifths of the domestic market under North American Free Trade Agreement exemptions. In March, an executive order directed support for domestic fertilizer production, including key nutrients such as potash.

Following Monday’s announcement, shares of major fertilizer companies listed in the U.S. rallied, with Mosaic rising as much as 4.5 percent and Nutrien climbing 2.9 percent before profits narrowed. These moves underscored investor optimism that policy changes will favor domestic producers.

To assess broader economic vulnerabilities, the U.S. Geological Survey applied its supply-chain disruption model across more than 1,200 trade-interruption scenarios for 84 mineral commodities. By weighting each scenario’s economic impact by its probability, the model quantifies potential losses to 402 industries and the overall U.S. economy.

For example, a complete halt in rhodium imports from South Africa is projected to shave USD 64 billion off GDP, but with a 3.9 percent likelihood, the probability-weighted impact is approximately USD 2.5 billion. According to the model’s rankings, the ten most critical minerals—with the highest probability-weighted economic risk—are samarium, rhodium, lutetium, terbium, dysprosium, gallium, germanium, gadolinium, tungsten and niobium.

The announcement concluded by warning that even a single mineral shortage could ripple through key sectors—from semiconductors to defense—undermining production capacity, technological leadership and American jobs.