Copper and silver are officially added to the U.S. expanded list of critical minerals, recognizing their indispensable role in America’s economy, technology, and defense infrastructure.
The updated list now includes 60 minerals, up from 50 in 2022.
According to the USGS, the updated list was created using a new economic model designed to estimate potential impacts from foreign trade disruptions. The assessment spanned 84 mineral commodities, 402 industries, and over 1,200 trade scenarios, producing what the agency calls a more “realistic and usable framework” for policymakers.
Copper and Silver’s Strategic Role
The inclusion of copper and silver has been widely applauded by industry leaders.
“We strongly support USGS’s decision to add copper to the critical minerals list,” said Adam Estelle, President and CEO of the Copper Development Association (CDA). “Copper holds the key to achieving America’s top policy objectives—including energy dominance, AI supremacy, national security, and reindustrialization.”
Copper, used in everything from electric vehicles and power grids to semiconductor wiring, is increasingly viewed as a linchpin of the clean energy transition.
Silver is essential in solar panels, medical devices, and advanced electronics, further cementing its place as a vital industrial metal.
Policy and Investment Implications
The updated critical minerals list gives a roadmap for how the U.S. plans to secure its industrial future, and which materials could face Section 232 investigations, opening the door to potential tariffs or trade restrictions.
We’ve already seen this play out with copper earlier in the year.
Beyond waving red flags, it helps guide federal investments ranging from mining incentives and tax credits for recycling, to streamlined permitting for new projects. It will likely influence current stockpile programs and resource recovery efforts, ensuring the country is less dependent on foreign supply.
This update comes right after Washington and Beijing reached an agreement to cool tensions over rare earth elements, which make up almost a quarter of the current list. It’s a reminder that America’s critical mineral strategy isn’t just economic – it’s geopolitical.
At Wall Street Endeavor, we’ve been closely following the evolving U.S. strategy on critical minerals, especially as geopolitical and technological shifts continue to reshape global supply chains.
We’ve been watching the skyrocketing fluorspar, featured in our article Top Tip: Mining Multibagger, Ready to Run, which is vital for nuclear energy, li-ion batteries, and billion-dollar steel industries.
Gallium is gaining attention for its role in high-efficiency electronics, including LEDs, smartphones, fiber optics, solar panels, and radar systems – yet the U.S. currently produces none of it.
Meanwhile, palladium, a key metal for both clean energy and automotive innovation, has climbed to $1,260 per ounce, up from roughly $909 at the start of the year, driven by renewed industrial demand.
For both miners and investors, the opportunity goes beyond short-term gains. With U.S. policy now tying resource development directly to industrial and energy priorities, projects in this space are benefiting from a convergence of strategic security and the push toward a cleaner, high-tech economy.
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