Copper added to new USGS critical minerals list, highlighting increased support for US copper projects
Published by Jody Dodgson,
Editorial Assistant
Global Mining Review,
Copper joins, silver, zinc, lead, and barite, plus 55 additional minerals for a total of 60 the US considered critical as part of the new US Geological Survey list [1]. The Trump Administration has prioritised fortifying domestic supply of these minerals, to combat an over-reliance on foreign supply that jeopardises national security, infrastructure development, and technological innovation, including within the energy sector.
The move is expected to bolster government investment and streamline permitting of copper projects located in the US that have the potential to buttress the domestic critical metals supply chain. Recently, the US Government has ramped up direct funding support of US-based mining projects it deems essential to the US supply chain, launching four new funding initiatives totalling nearly US$1 billion with grants of up to US$250 million for new critical metals projects. Additionally, the Trump Administration has been making direct equity investments into critical metals projects, including a 5% equity stake in the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada.
“The Trump Administration’s addition of copper to the latest USGS Critical Minerals List represents a significant leap forward in validating the importance of domestic projects like our Madison Copper-Gold Project in Montana and our Palmer Copper-Gold VMS Project in Alaska for potential future copper production,” commented Warwick Smith, CEO of American Pacific Mining.
“This move signals the current government’s increased focus on strengthening US supply chains and is already translating into new funding, investment, and permitting support for the advancement of critical minerals projects across the United States providing important tailwinds for advancing our high-quality US copper assets at a time when reliable supply and national security have never been more important. The Trump Administration’s decision to include copper in the latest USGS list will help build awareness and understanding amongst legislators about the important role of copper in everyday life.”
Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/14112025/copper-added-to-new-usgs-critical-minerals-list-highlighting-increased-support-for-us-copper-projects/