The Iran war has shown two things at once. It has shown that AI now matters at operational speed, and it has shown that the material base required to sustain…
Category: Mining
Rare Earth Leverage and Pressure Points on U.S. Technological Power
The rare‑earth crisis is becoming a structural element of the global environment, shaping the resilience of the American technological and defense system. In the logic of the Yankee angle, the…
How China Dominates the World’s Critical Minerals Production
For the West, securing critical mineral supply without reliance on China requires more than just sourcing mines in friendly countries. It requires alternative processing capacity, substantial long-term supply agreements, and…
Will Canada unshackle itself in time? The global energy and minerals window of opportunity
Canada has to deal with some of the regulatory calcification we’ve let build up for some time, before we will be an attractive investment destination. We are still paralyzed by…
A New Way to Measure U.S. Energy Security
Given our current weak position in global mineral markets, shortages of copper, nickel, and neodymium that undermine the entire U.S. energy system may replace the oil embargos of the 1970s…
Forging and vaulting ahead for critical minerals
The inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial was aimed at strengthening global supply chains for minerals essential for advanced technologies, defense, AI, robotics, batteries, and autonomous devices. Attendees ran the gamut from…
Arkansas’ Lithium Jackpot: New Tech Turns Ancient Saltwater Into ‘White Gold’
“We estimate there is enough dissolved lithium present in that region to replace US imports of lithium and more.”
Trump Admin Uses Equity Stakes, New Mines to Secure Critical Minerals Supply Chain
Since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, the administration has been aggressively pursuing the development of new mines for critical minerals and rare earths, wherever they can be found (and, in…
Dismantlement of South Africa’s Ferrochrome Industry
South African leaders must pivot to an energy agenda that accepts the present reality: Coal and natural gas are indispensable for industrial competitiveness – at least until affordable, reliable, on-demand…
Polysilicon: An Opportunity to Demonstrate ‘America First’
The United States does not need half-measures. It needs clear, uncompromising enforcement that restores domestic market confidence. A full prohibition on imports of Chinese-origin and -linked polysilicon and derivatives ensures…
Ignoring EV Pollution for Fake Climate Crisis
The mass evangelism for EVs and wind turbines is not a noble crusade to save the planet. It is a cynical ploy to enrich a small cadre of green-tech investors…
American-Japanese Pact Signals Ascent of Energy Realism
The U.S. and Japan are shedding the paralysis of irrational climate policies with a strategic pact covering rare-earth minerals, critical components for semiconductors and next-generation nuclear reactors.
Argentinian Reform: Subsoil Privatization (Javier Milei, meet Guillermo Yeatts)
“The history of oil production in Argentina has been characterized by a continuing tug-of-war between the state as owner of the subsurface and private producers in the pursuit of profitable…
Rare Earth Minerals, Etc from China … Or The USA?
Now we must begin temporarily impacting some pristine areas to locate, evaluate and extract strategic materials – and end our dangerous and needless dependence on unfriendly and unreliable sources, before…
Indonesian Rainforests Turned Into Open-Cast Mining Pits to Improve Range of High-End Electric Vehicles
There may be a genuine effort on the part of publicity-conscious companies like JLR to avoid being primarily responsible for digging up the rainforest. But an overall increase in demand…
The Slowly Mounting Mineral Shock
In minerals, models that minimize or ignore chokepoints and social license realities will steer the world into the very emergencies we want to avoid. We don’t need aspirational scenarios. We…
New Scientist: “We could get most metals for clean energy without opening new mines”
“… most mines don’t know exactly what they are tossing out …”
Leveraging Michigan’s Assets as an Economic Growth Catalyst
Michigan’s economic future is not just in factories or finance, it is also in its fields, its rocks, and its water. With the right balance of protection and progress, these…
First U.S. Rare Earth Mine In 70 Years Opens In Wyoming
The project’s backers hope the Brook Mine will inspire further investment and innovation in the domestic rare earth supply chain—ensuring that Wyoming, and the nation, are at the forefront of…