Official Critical Minerals Lists by Country
Governments around the world publish formal lists of minerals they consider critical to national security, economic prosperity, and the clean energy transition. Browse each country's official list, understand the selection methodology, and compare designations across jurisdictions.
Why Countries Maintain Critical Minerals Lists
Critical minerals lists serve as foundational policy instruments that guide government investment, trade negotiations, diplomatic partnerships, and supply chain resilience strategies. A mineral is typically designated as "critical" when it meets two core criteria: it is essential to the economy or national security, and its supply chain is vulnerable to disruption. These vulnerabilities may stem from geographic concentration of mining or processing, geopolitical instability in producing regions, a lack of viable substitutes, or insufficient domestic production capacity.
The concept of critical minerals has evolved considerably since the early 2000s. What began as a niche concern among geologists and defense planners has become a central pillar of industrial policy worldwide. The global race toward electrification, renewable energy deployment, advanced semiconductors, and defense modernization has placed enormous pressure on supply chains for minerals such as lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, gallium, and germanium. Nations that once took mineral supply for granted now recognize that control over these resources confers significant economic and strategic advantage.
Each country's list reflects its unique industrial base, geographic endowment, trade relationships, and strategic priorities. The United States emphasizes minerals essential to defense and technology supply chains. The European Union distinguishes between "critical" and "strategic" raw materials under its Critical Raw Materials Act. Australia leverages its position as a major mining nation to align its list with export opportunities and downstream processing ambitions. Canada's list reflects its vast mineral wealth and its role as a reliable supplier to allied nations.
Understanding the differences and overlaps between these lists is essential for mining companies seeking project financing, investors evaluating resource sector opportunities, policymakers crafting trade agreements, and analysts tracking global supply chain risks. The pages below provide detailed coverage of each major national list, including the specific minerals designated, the methodology used for selection, and the review cycles that govern updates.
Browse by Country
United States USGS Critical Minerals
The official U.S. critical minerals list maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey, including the 2025 update and the methodology behind designations.
European Union Critical Raw Materials Act
The EU's comprehensive framework for critical and strategic raw materials, including designated lists and the legislative review cycle.
Australia Critical Minerals & Strategic Materials
Australia's critical minerals list and strategic materials designations, reflecting its role as a leading global mining nation.
Canada Critical Minerals
Canada's list of 31 critical minerals and the priority minerals subset that guides federal investment and partnership programs.
Compare Critical Minerals Lists
Side-by-side comparison of which minerals appear on each country's official list, with analysis of overlaps and key differences.
The Growing Importance of Critical Minerals Policy
The global critical minerals landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years. China's dominance in rare earth processing, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's outsized role in cobalt production, and the concentration of lithium refining in a handful of nations have exposed the fragility of supply chains that underpin everything from electric vehicles to fighter jets. In response, governments have moved beyond simply publishing lists to enacting sweeping legislation that ties mineral designations to concrete policy actions.
In the United States, the Energy Act of 2020 codified the critical minerals list into federal law and mandated regular updates. The European Union's Critical Raw Materials Act, adopted in 2024, set binding targets for domestic extraction, processing, and recycling. Australia's Critical Minerals Strategy links its list to investment incentives and trade agreements with allied nations. Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy includes billions in federal funding for projects targeting listed minerals.
For industry participants, these lists are more than academic exercises. A mineral's inclusion on an official list can unlock government-backed financing, expedited permitting, tax incentives, and eligibility for bilateral trade agreements. Conversely, minerals not on these lists may struggle to attract the same level of policy support. As the energy transition accelerates and geopolitical competition intensifies, these lists will continue to shape the global mining and materials landscape for decades to come.