Critical minerals have become a major focus of governments worldwide as countries work to strengthen their economies, enhance national security, and meet growing demand for advanced technologies. These materials are essential for everything from smartphones and semiconductors to electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and military equipment.
As demand grows and global supply chains face increasing geopolitical risks, securing reliable access to critical minerals has become a strategic priority.
What Are Critical Minerals?1
Critical minerals are naturally occurring materials that are essential to a country’s economic and national security but are vulnerable to supply disruptions. The exact list varies by country, but common examples include rare earth elements, lithium, graphite, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and titanium.2
These minerals are key components in batteries, electric motors, wind turbines, aerospace systems, medical devices, and advanced electronics.
Why the Increased Global Focus?3
Several factors have driven the recent emphasis on critical minerals.
The energy transition. Electric vehicles, battery storage, wind turbines, and solar panels require significantly more mineral inputs than traditional technologies. As countries invest in cleaner energy, demand for these materials continues to rise.
Supply chain resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses in global supply chains, while ongoing geopolitical tensions have highlighted the risks of relying on a limited number of countries for critical materials. Many governments are now working to diversify mineral supplies and expand domestic production and processing.
National security. Critical minerals are essential for defense technologies, including aircraft, satellites, communications systems, and precision-guided weapons. Reliable access to these materials is increasingly viewed as a national security issue.
Economic competitiveness. Nations are investing across the critical mineral supply chain—from exploration and mining to processing, recycling, and manufacturing—to create jobs, encourage innovation, and support long-term economic growth.
What Does This Mean for North Dakota?4
North Dakota is well positioned to contribute to the nation’s critical mineral strategy.
Our state already has decades of experience in energy production, resource development, and large-scale industrial operations. This expertise, along with a skilled workforce and established infrastructure, provides a strong foundation for future critical mineral development.
Researchers are also exploring opportunities to recover valuable minerals from produced water associated with Bakken oil production, as well as from coal and coal-related resources. While many of these technologies are still emerging, they offer the potential to develop new domestic sources of critical minerals without relying solely on traditional mining.
In addition, organizations such as the University of North Dakota’s Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) are conducting research on mineral extraction, processing, and advanced energy technologies. These efforts could help position ND as both a resource producer and an innovation leader.
For our state’s economy, critical minerals represent an opportunity to diversify beyond traditional energy sectors while creating high-skilled jobs, attracting investment, and strengthening U.S. supply chains.
Demand for critical minerals is expected to grow for decades as advanced technologies continue to evolve and countries seek more secure and resilient supply chains. Meeting that demand will require more than mining—it will also depend on expanding processing capacity, investing in research, developing recycling technologies, and training a skilled workforce.5
For North Dakota, this presents an opportunity to build on our leadership in energy production while contributing to the nation’s economic security and technological future.
1National Minerals Information Center | U.S. Geological Survey
2Mineral Commodity Summaries | U.S. Geological Survey
3The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions – Analysis – IEA