CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program @CSISMinerals

A new episode of Mapping Minerals Episode has dropped! This week we spotlight Kazakhstan - the world’s top uranium producer and a pivotal player in global nuclear energy security. Meirzhan Yussupov, CEO of the @NAC_Kazatomprom, joins @GraceBaskaran to discuss: 🔹 How Kazakhstan…

The Lobito Corridor and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) are reshaping the future of minerals diplomacy. This isn’t just about investing in commodities; it's about unlocking broader economic development opportunities across regions. By linking…

The first $5 billion invested in the Lobito Corridor didn’t fund mining directly - but sustained U.S. commitment and strong engagement from partner countries are now driving fresh interest in the corridor’s mining jurisdictions, particularly Zambia and the DRC. From new…

Building the infrastructure for a resilient critical minerals supply chain is capital intensive. By joining forces, institutions like the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and Export-Import Bank can catalyze private capital, speed up progress, and deliver shared…

The Lobito Corridor is a transformative PGI project connecting Angola, Zambia, and the DRC to global markets. By upgrading 1,289 km of rail and adding 350 miles of new track in Zambia, the corridor will offer a faster route for critical minerals like copper, cobalt, lithium, and…

Since 2013, China’s Belt and Road Initiative has funneled nearly $96 billion into the metals and mining sector, reaching a record $12.6 billion in 2024 alone. More than half of that investment was concentrated in mineral-rich regions like Indonesia, the DRC, Peru, and Guinea.…

A new episode of Mapping Minerals Diplomacy is here and today, we look at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI). PGI is considered one of the U.S.'s most powerful tools in minerals diplomacy. Launched by the G7, PGI aims to mobilize $600 billion by 2027…

What makes Argentina a crucial partner for the U.S. in enhancing its minerals security strategy? 1️⃣ The U.S. and Argentina maintain a strong trade relationship, with a $6.5 billion trade balance in favor of the United States. 2️⃣ The U.S. cannot meet its rising copper demand…

Argentina is rolling out bold new incentives to attract mining investment—and global majors are taking notice. The new regime guarantees: 30 years of tax credits, reduced customs duties, progressive easing of capital controls, and access to international dispute courts. The…

Argentina is doubling down on investment incentives to unlock its mining potential. Since 1993, the country has had a regime specifically designed to promote mining investment—allowing companies to import capital goods without tariffs or duties. Now, as of July 2024, Argentina…

Argentina is emerging as one of the world’s hottest mineral exploration frontiers. Exploration budgets have quadrupled—from $124M in 2015 to nearly $500M in 2024. Lithium exploration spending has skyrocketed from just $3.4M in 2015 to almost $140M in 2023, while copper has…

A new episode of Mapping Minerals Diplomacy is out—this time spotlighting Argentina. With world-class reserves of copper and lithium, Argentina is fast becoming one of the most dynamic frontiers for critical minerals—and could soon power the next wave of AI data centers. In this…

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-…