What are Critical Minerals?

The US Government has designated that certain minerals are “critical” because domestic production cannot meet the nation’s needs and incoming supply chains are vulnerable to disruption. These minerals contain elements essential for modern technology, economic growth and national security.

Often referred to as “technology metals,” they are fundamental components of:

• • Clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels
  • Smartphones, computers and medical equipment
  • Advanced military/defense systems

The extraction, processing and refining of many critical minerals are concentrated in a small number of countries, with China being the predominant producer.

Disruption to the supply of these minerals would have significant consequences for a nation’s economy and national security. This has put the issue on political agendas globally, leading governments to prioritize securing and diversifying their supply chains through domestic production efforts, international partnerships and recycling initiatives.

Deposits of critical minerals containing rare earths, titanium and zirconium occur in the southeast USA. Carolina Industrial Minerals Corp is actively exploring and securing properties in the region with potential for generating new sources of these minerals to increase US production.