CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program @CSISMinerals

Episode 5 of Mapping Minerals Diplomacy is live and this week, we turn to Australia. Australia remains one of America's closest allies and partners, having been the only country to fight alongside the U.S. in every major war since 1918. It's also a mineral powerhouse. With over…

Is U.S.-Australia collaboration the answer to China’s critical minerals dominance? Ambassador @AmboRudd argues yes, given the U.S. and Australia are both driving a whole-of-government approach—backed by industry, capital, and public investment—to build stronger, shared supply…

What's the role of Australia's new $1.2 billion strategic reserve for critical minerals in its minerals security ambitions? Ambassador @AmboRudd discusses with @GraceBaskaran. The purpose of the reserve is to ensure that Australia can meet its own national security needs and…

Should critical minerals be treated like defense assets? Australian Ambassador @AmboRudd says yes. From the 4.5 tons of minerals in a Virginia-class submarine, to the rare earths in every F-35, our military strength relies on secure, resilient supply chains. Australia, he notes,…

How has China used minerals as a tool of economic coercion? Ambassador @AmboRudd, former Prime Minister of Australia, discusses. Restrictions on rare earths and other critical minerals toward the U.S. have reinforced the same lesson: countries that dominate extraction and…

How is Australia looking to utilize price floors? In a discussion with @GraceBaskaran, Ambassador @AmboRudd notes that pricing is fundamental to building resilient critical mineral supply chains. Investors need confidence that projects can sell resources reliably and sustainably…

ICYMI: @AmboRudd, former Prime Minister of Australia & current Australian Ambassador to the United States, joined @CSISMinerals to discuss why US–Australia critical minerals collaboration is essential for defense and advanced manufacturing. Watch: csis.org/events/future-…

LIVE: @AmboRudd, former Prime Minister of Australia & current Australian Ambassador to the United States, joins @CSISMinerals for a discussion on why US–Australia critical minerals collaboration is essential for defense and advanced manufacturing. Watch: csis.org/events/future-…

How can Guinea ensure that the benefits of its mining sector reach the broader population? The Hon. Bouna Sylla, Minister of Mines and Geology, discusses how the mining sector is a catalyst for progress. Coupled with Simandou 2040, a comprehensive vision to diversify Guinea’s…

How is Guinea strengthening its investment climate and reducing corruption? The Hon. Bouna Sylla, Minister of Mines and Geology, highlights how, since 2022, Guinea has launched key reforms to modernize its mining cadastre system. These efforts aim to improve transparency,…

Wednesday: @AmboRudd, former Prime Minister of Australia and current Australian Ambassador to the United States, joins @CSISMinerals for a discussion on why U.S.–Australia critical minerals collaboration is essential for defense and advanced manufacturing. csis.org/events/future-…

What makes the U.S.-Guinea relationship strategically important? The Hon. Bouna Sylla, Guinea's Minister of Mines and Geology, describes how U.S.-Guinea relations have deep roots, dating back to Guinea’s independence—and at just a six-hour flight away, Guinea’s geographic…

Why is Guinea emerging as a key player in securing critical minerals? Guinea has been a growing destination for exploration investment, thanks to its vast bauxite reserves, which are crucial for aluminum production and serve as a key source of gallium—a vital component in…

Why are supply and demand side signals important to building a resilient rare earths supply chain? @GraceBaskaran joined Bloomberg @business to discuss.

Episode 4 of Mapping Minerals Diplomacy is out. This week, we turn the spotlight on Guinea—a country small in geography and large in mineral potential. Home to the world’s largest bauxite reserves and well-positioned to become a major gallium supplier—a critical mineral for…

How has the U.S. responded to China's rare earths export restrictions? @GraceBaskaran joined Bloomberg @business to discuss. In response to China's April 4th export restrictions, the U.S. is moving at warp speed to ramp up domestic production of rare earths and permanent…

How will the United States meet its rare earth and magnet needs? One of America’s strengths is its ability to innovate under pressure. We saw it during COVID-19, and we’re seeing it again as a result of China’s rare earth export restrictions. As @GraceBaskaran noted on Bloomberg…

What is Brazil's role in strengthening U.S. mineral security? Brazil is rich in critical commodities like niobium, rare earths, nickel, graphite, and manganese—materials essential to powering U.S. defense technologies. Yet, the U.S. currently produces less than 2% of these…

How can bilateral minerals diplomacy be leveraged to counter China? Between 2007 and 2022, China sent over 6% of global outbound investment to Brazil. As Brazil becomes an increasingly vital supplier of key inputs for strategic industries—especially in automobiles, technology,…

What can Brazil do to attract more foreign direct investment into its mining industry? Brian Menell, CEO of TechMet, explains that as a resource-rich country, Brazil has immense potential but unlocking it requires streamlining regulatory frameworks, licensing processes, and…