The Role of Critical Raw Materials in US Economy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2022-5-121-130
Читать на русскоя языкеV.B. Kondratiev
Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №5 / 2022 р. 131-134

Abstract: The U.S. economy and especially its manufacturing sector, is highly dependent on the supply of raw and semifinished materials. While the United States have extensive mineral resources and are a leading global materials producer, a high percent of many materials that are critical to U.S. manufacturing are imported. The so-called critical minerals are central to the manufacture of a wide range of high-tech products. These include mobile phones, computers, flat-screen monitors, solar panels, rechargeable batteries, air conditioners and defense industry technologies and products. Critical minerals play a significant role in USA national security, renewable energy development and infrastructure. The article provides an overview of trends in mineral supply risks and the critical factors that determine the mineral supply chain risks.

Keywords: critical minerals, national security, manufacturing, high-tech industries, global supply chains

For citation: Kondratiev V.B. The Role of Critical Raw Materials in US Economy. Russian Mining Industry. 2022;(5):121–130. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2022-5-121-130


Article info

Received: 12.08.2022

Revised: 05.09.2022

Accepted: 06.09.2022


Information about the author

Vladimir B. Kondratiev – Dr. Sci. (Econ.), Professor, Head of Center for Industrial and Investment Research, Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


References

1. Goudy S. A “Made in America” Supply Chain for Critical Minerals. Environmental, Mining & Natural Resources, Rulemaking & Policy Development. March 7, 2022. Available at: https://www.freshlawblog.com/2022/03/07/a-made-in-america-supply-chain-for-criticalminerals/

2. Nassar N.T., Brainard J., Gulley A., Manley R., Matos G., Lederer G. et al. Evaluating the mineral commodity supply risk of the U.S. manufacturing sector. Science Advances. 2020;6(8):eaay8647. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aay8647

3. Fortier S.M., Nassar N.T., Lederer G.W., Brainard J., Gambogi J., McCullough E.A. Draft critical mineral list – Summary of methodology and background information – U.S. Geological Survey technical input document in response to Secretarial Order No. 3359: Reston, VA, U.S. Geological Survey; 2018. 15 p. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20181021

4. Gulley A.L., McCullough E.A., Shedd K.B. China’s domestic and foreign influence in the global cobalt supply chain. Resources Policy. 2019;62:317–323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2019.03.015

5. Gulley A.L., Nassar N.T., Xun S. China, the United States, and competition for resources that enable emerging technologies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2018;115(16):4111–4115. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1717152115

6. Nassar N.T. Limitations to elemental substitution as exemplified by the platinum-group metals. Green Chemistry. 2015;17:2226–2235. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4GC02197E

7. Elshkaki A., Graedel T.E. Dysprosium, the balance problem, and wind power technology. Applied Energy. 2014;136:548–559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.09.064

8. Alonso E., Gregory J., Field F., Kirchain R. Material Availability and the Supply Chain–Risks, Effects, and Responses. Environmental Science & Technology. 2007;41(19):6649–6656. https://doi.org/10.1021/es070159c

9. Mancheri, N., Sundaresan, L., Chandrashekar, S. Dominating the world: China and the rare earth industry. International Strategic and Security Studies Programme. September 26, 2013. Available at: http://isssp.in/dominating-the-world-china-and-the-rare-earth-industry/