Plain meaning
Minerals considered important to economic security, clean technology, defence, or strategic supply chains.
Also called
strategic minerals
critical mineral
Key points
- Critical-minerals policy can involve mining, processing, tax incentives, infrastructure, trade, and environmental approvals.
- The list of minerals and policy priorities can change over time.
- Critical minerals can be relevant to batteries, electric vehicles, clean technology, defence, and industrial production.
- Tax credits, public investment, and trade measures may target critical-mineral projects.
Why it comes up
Critical-minerals articles help explain why mining investments, exploration tax credits, and supply-chain policies matter to the economy.