Critical minerals are mineral commodities identified as essential for advanced technologies and economic or national security functions, and which face elevated risk of supply disruption due to geological scarcity, concentrated production, geopolitical constraints, or complex value chains. Scientifically, they are defined not by intrinsic geochemical properties but by their role in enabling key materials systems, such as high-performance magnets, battery chemistries, catalysts, semiconductors, and specialized alloys. Research on critical minerals emphasizes ore genesis, mineral processing, substitution strategies, recycling, life-cycle assessment, and supply-risk modeling to ensure resilient access to these inputs for low-carbon energy systems, defense applications, and advanced manufacturing.
They power green energy, enhance defense systems, and drive the future of microelectronics. Known as critical minerals, elements like lithium, cobalt, and nickel are vital to national security and innovation. Yet the U.S. ...
Earth Sciences
Nov 11, 2025
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Mining is a controversial topic: On one hand, we need raw materials such as copper for the transition to climate-friendly technologies, but on the other hand, exploration and raw material extraction are primarily associated ...
Earth Sciences
Nov 10, 2025
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Drilling for minerals deep in the ocean could have immense consequences for the tiny animals at the core of the vast marine food web—and ultimately affect fisheries and the food we find on our plates, according to a new study.
Environment
Nov 9, 2025
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48
The global demand for critical minerals is surging. Driven by the clean-energy transition, digital infrastructure, and geopolitical shifts, governments in Canada are pushing to unlock subsurface resources. These minerals—like ...
Environment
Nov 6, 2025
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160
Ever wonder what happens to those old, broken electronics after tossing them? How about how new ones are being produced despite dwindling resources? The seemingly endless supply of gadgets hides an increasingly critical problem: ...
Cell & Microbiology
Oct 17, 2025
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33
As the world relies increasingly on critical minerals such as cobalt to fuel not just the green revolution but also everyday life, the United States may need to turn to domestic mining to meet its needs.
Environment
Oct 9, 2025
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An advanced filtration system inspired by nature that can recover untapped critical resources such as copper and lithium from mining waste is being developed by scientists from The Australian National University (ANU) in ...
Earth Sciences
Oct 9, 2025
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18
All the critical minerals the U.S. needs annually for energy, defense and technology applications are already being mined at existing U.S. facilities, according to a new analysis published in the journal Science.
Earth Sciences
Aug 22, 2025
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593
In a bright, open laboratory nestled along Washington State's Sequim Bay, among rows of glassware filled with seawater and green and purple seaweed, researchers are investigating a new way to produce the critical minerals ...
Earth Sciences
Aug 20, 2025
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28
Critical mineral lithium—the lightest of all metals—had long eluded geologists by slipping through the cracks of traditional analysis.
Earth Sciences
Aug 7, 2025
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