📊Executive Summary

A recent study highlights that over 60% of global demand for critical minerals is met through international trade, exposing supply chains to geopolitical tensions and export controls. The International Energy Forum (IEF) emphasizes the need for a forward-looking policy framework to address the rising demand for key minerals like copper, nickel, cobalt, lithium, and rare earths, which are essential for technological advancements and clean energy initiatives. The concentration of supply in specific regions, such as Indonesia for nickel and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for cobalt, increases vulnerability to policy shifts and logistical challenges. The U.S. government is actively seeking to reduce reliance on foreign sources through domestic mining and refining initiatives, aiming for greater supply chain independence....