The critical-minerals ecosystem, as it moves
Export controls, list revisions, price shocks, stockpiles and AI-demand research — each linked to the original reporting.
- September 29, 2026Supply
USGS maps 1,271 US critical-mineral deposits
Updated database covers 59 critical minerals across 41 states and Puerto Rico; 412 deposits have documented resources but no past production. Nine of the ten highest-risk minerals occur in the US.
- September 23, 2026Policy
Glencore gets $500M EXIM backing for a US minerals reserve
A $500M EXIM commitment backs VaultCo, a public-private vehicle through which Glencore will source and deliver critical minerals into a US strategic reserve.
- September 22, 2026Export controls
China's rare-earth exports to Japan stay at zero
August 2026 exports of controlled rare-earth compounds remained well below pre-control levels; Japan received none for a third straight month while magnet exports largely recovered.
- September 18, 2026Prices
Gallium and germanium hit record prices outside China
Three years after China's curbs, ex-China prices sit at 9–10x 2023 levels. China supplied 98.9% of primary gallium in 2025; S&P Global sees a ~678 t ex-China gallium gap.
- September 14, 2026Supply
China's grip on refining tightens outside rare earths
China's refining share (ex-rare earths) rose from 70% to 72% between 2023 and 2025, while US and Malaysian investment cut its rare-earth refining share from >90% to 85%.
- September 10, 2026Prices
AI demand and tariffs send copper to a record
New York copper futures settled at a record $6.89/lb; global mine output fell 1.1% in H1 2026 and Chile's dropped 6.6%.
- September 4, 2026AI demand
Study: copper is ~83% of AI data-center mineral demand
A Resources Policy model of 20 materials through 2035 finds grid transmission drives 64% of AI-linked copper demand and flags grain-oriented electrical steel as a key constraint.
- August 31, 2026Policy
Pentagon backs Alcoa gallium plant in Australia
A $174M US DoD equity investment supports a 100 t/yr gallium facility at Alcoa's Wagerup refinery with Japan's Sojitz.
- August 6, 2026Export controls
DR Congo bans copper and cobalt concentrate exports
A new order bans concentrate exports and follows the June 29 seizure of unused H1 cobalt quotas into a state strategic pool. LME copper rose as much as 1.8%.
- July 16, 2026Outlook
IEA Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2026
Copper deficit now projected at ~25% by 2035 and a cobalt gap has emerged; tungsten prices rose about sixfold; China's expanded rare-earth controls are suspended until November 2026.
- June 22, 2026Export controls
China blacklists MP Materials and USA Rare Earth
Beijing banned dual-use exports to 10 US entities it linked to the military, including the only active US rare-earth miner.
- March 12, 2026Supply
Qatar outage sends helium prices soaring
Disruption to Qatar's gas processing during the Iran conflict pushed helium spot prices up by as much as double, exposing chipmakers' reliance on a few suppliers.
- February 2, 2026Policy
US launches $12B Project Vault minerals stockpile
A $10B EXIM loan plus ~$2B private capital funds a commercial stockpile aiming at a 60-day emergency supply of critical minerals.
- November 9, 2025Export controls
China suspends Ga/Ge/Sb export ban to the US
The ban is paused until November 27, 2026, but licensing requirements remain — a key date for chip supply chains.
- November 6, 2025List change
USGS finalizes 2025 list: 60 critical minerals
Ten additions, including copper, silver, silicon and uranium, bring the US list to 60.