US Overhauls The Critical Minerals List, Targets Copper And Silver

The U.S. government is proposing its largest update yet to the critical minerals list, according to Benzinga. The update adds copper, silver, potash, silicon, rhenium, and lead, while removing arsenic and tellurium. Released by the Department of the Interior and developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, the draft 2025 list would expand to 54 minerals, reflecting a shift toward securing supply chains for industries tied to national security and economic stability. The Energy Act of 2020 requires the list to be updated every three years to guide federal investments and address weaknesses in U.S. supply chains. Officials said the methodology now measures both the likelihood and economic fallout of supply disruptions across 84 commodities and 402 industries, with potential benefits for domestic projects. iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF closed up 0.06% and 25.20% year-to-date.