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U.S. Government and Allies Invest Billions to Secure Ex-China Rare Earth Supply Chains

U.S. Government and Allies Invest Billions to Secure Ex-China Rare Earth Supply Chains

U.S. Government and Allies Invest Billions to Secure Ex-China Rare Earth Supply Chains
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House Panel Examines Strategies to Reduce U.S. Dependence on China for Critical Minerals

House Panel Examines Strategies to Reduce U.S. Dependence on China for Critical Minerals

The House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on September 2 to address securing critical mineral supply chains and reducing U.S. reliance on China. China currently dominates the production of 30 out of 60 U.S.-designated critical minerals and controls approximately 90% of global rare earth processing capacity. The Trump administration has made this a priority since January 2025, implementing executive orders to boost domestic mineral production and processing. Key initiatives include Project Vault, a strategic critical minerals reserve supported by a $10 billion Export-Import Bank loan, and the Critical Minerals Ministerial, which established the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE) for international cooperation. The U.S. has also signed 11 new bilateral critical minerals agreements with countries like Argentina, Ecuador, and Morocco. Witnesses at the hearing, representing various research and advocacy groups, discussed trade, investment, and development policies aimed at diversifying the...
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House Panel Examines U.S. Dependence on China for Critical Minerals; Donald Trump Jr.'s Firm Under Scrutiny

House Panel Examines U.S. Dependence on China for Critical Minerals; Donald Trump Jr.'s Firm Under Scrutiny

The House Ways and Means Committee recently held a hearing to address the U.S.'s reliance on China for critical minerals, which are essential for various products from smartphones to military equipment. China currently dominates the production or processing of 30 out of 60 critical minerals designated by the U.S., controlling approximately 90% of global rare earth processing capacity. The Trump administration has prioritized securing critical mineral supply chains since January 2025, signing executive orders to accelerate permitting and expand domestic mineral production. Project Vault, a strategic critical minerals reserve backed by $10 billion from the Export-Import Bank and nearly $2 billion in private financing, was announced in February. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also convened the Critical Minerals Ministerial, establishing the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE) for international cooperation. Donald Trump Jr.'s venture capital firm, 1789 Capital, has invested in Vulcan Elements, a ...
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Western Star Resources Appoints Goldman Sachs Veteran Garland Scott to Board Amid U.S. Tungsten Push

Western Star Resources Appoints Goldman Sachs Veteran Garland Scott to Board Amid U.S. Tungsten Push

Western Star Resources Appoints Goldman Sachs Veteran Garland Scott to Board Amid U.S. Tungsten Push
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Kuya Silver and Brixton Metals Explore Historic Temiskaming Mine Waste for Silver and Cobalt Amid Surging Prices

Kuya Silver and Brixton Metals Explore Historic Temiskaming Mine Waste for Silver and Cobalt Amid Surging Prices

Kuya Silver and Brixton Metals Explore Historic Temiskaming Mine Waste for Silver and Cobalt Amid Surging Prices
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USA Rare Earth Initiates Construction of $1.2 Billion Magnet Plant in South Carolina

USA Rare Earth Initiates Construction of $1.2 Billion Magnet Plant in South Carolina

USA Rare Earth Initiates Construction of $1.2 Billion Magnet Plant in South Carolina
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Talon Metals Selects Michigan Over North Dakota for Nickel Processing Facility

Talon Metals Selects Michigan Over North Dakota for Nickel Processing Facility

Talon Metals Selects Michigan Over North Dakota for Nickel Processing Facility
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Green Bridge Metals Corporation Confirms Mineralization and Accelerates Phase 2 Drilling at Titac Project in Minnesota

Green Bridge Metals Corporation Confirms Mineralization and Accelerates Phase 2 Drilling at Titac Project in Minnesota

Green Bridge Metals Corporation Confirms Mineralization and Accelerates Phase 2 Drilling at Titac Project in Minnesota
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Venari Minerals Discovers Strontium, Adding Strategic Value to its Lithium Projects in Nevada

Venari Minerals Discovers Strontium, Adding Strategic Value to its Lithium Projects in Nevada

Venari Minerals Discovers Strontium, Adding Strategic Value to its Lithium Projects in Nevada
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Anson Resources Subsidiary Receives $212 Million Tax Credit for Utah Lithium Project

Anson Resources Subsidiary Receives $212 Million Tax Credit for Utah Lithium Project

Anson Resources Subsidiary Receives $212 Million Tax Credit for Utah Lithium Project
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International Crisis Group Links Myanmar's Critical Minerals to Civil War Financing and Global Supply Chains

International Crisis Group Links Myanmar's Critical Minerals to Civil War Financing and Global Supply Chains

International Crisis Group Links Myanmar's Critical Minerals to Civil War Financing and Global Supply Chains
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Fraunhofer ISE Develops New Battery Cell Architecture Increasing Energy Density by 10-15%

Fraunhofer ISE Develops New Battery Cell Architecture Increasing Energy Density by 10-15%

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has developed a new battery cell architecture that increases energy density by 10 to 15 percent while maintaining the same weight. This innovation was achieved by significantly thickening the electrode coatings from the standard 100-200 micrometers to up to 800 micrometers. According to Dr. Oliver Fitz, Group Leader for Battery Cell Technology at Fraunhofer ISE, this reduction in the number of current collectors allows for more active material within the same cell weight. The research was conducted as part of projects funded by the German Federal Government, including 'VORAN – Innovative Sodium-Ion Battery Storage for Stationary and Mobile Applications' and 'INFAB – Zinc-Ion Batteries for Stationary Energy Storage – Manufacturing and Assembly'. While the primary focus was on stationary battery storage systems, the physical insights gained are also applicable to traction batteries for electric vehicles.