National Laboratory of the Rockies Hosts Forum to Strengthen U.S. Critical Mineral Supply Chain
The National Laboratory of the Rockies recently hosted the 2026 Partner Forum, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and government officials to discuss the development of a domestic supply chain for critical minerals in the U.S. The forum highlighted the importance of these minerals, which are essential for modern electronics, energy systems, and defense technologies. Currently, over 80% of the U.S.'s critical minerals are imported, primarily from China. The forum emphasized the need for a domestic supply chain to reduce dependency on foreign sources and to ensure national security. Discussions included innovative approaches to mining, processing, and recycling critical minerals, as well as the construction of new facilities to support these efforts. 
