Critical Minerals
RFF’s work on critical minerals focuses on addressing near-term supply bottlenecks, strengthening US mineral security, and building a transparent and sustainable market for critical minerals to support the deployment of technologies needed for EV batteries.
Highlights
Topics
Featured Content
- All
- Publications
- Events
- Editorial
- News
Common Resources — Oct 27, 2025
Direct Lithium Extraction in Arkansas: A Golden Goose for the State?
New techniques for lithium extraction could mean an economic boom is coming to southwest Arkansas. Landowners and county coffers will likely benefit the most, though benefits could vary widely.
Report — Oct 27, 2025
Can Emerging Industrial Technologies Compete? Scoping the Market Viability of Direct Lithium Extraction in the United States
This report draws on discussions with industry experts, company assessments, and financial analyses to provide insights into the technology, market forces, and policies needed for direct lithium extraction to succeed in the United States.
Issue Brief — Oct 7, 2025
The Strategic Game of Rare Earths: Why China May Only Be in Favor of Temporary Export Restrictions
This brief explores the implications of China’s export controls on rare earth elements and future policymaking through the lens of game theory.
Resources Radio — Sep 30, 2025
An Unprecedented Investment in US Rare Earth Elements, with Tom Moerenhout
Tom Moerenhout discusses the recent federal investment in a privately held mine in the United States—the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine—and the potential risks and rewards of the deal.
Report — Oct 27, 2025
Can Emerging Industrial Technologies Compete? Scoping the Market Viability of Direct Lithium Extraction in the United States
This report draws on discussions with industry experts, company assessments, and financial analyses to provide insights into the technology, market forces, and policies needed for direct lithium extraction to succeed in the United States.
Issue Brief — Oct 7, 2025
The Strategic Game of Rare Earths: Why China May Only Be in Favor of Temporary Export Restrictions
This brief explores the implications of China’s export controls on rare earth elements and future policymaking through the lens of game theory.
Report — Sep 25, 2025
Corporate Due Diligence, Auto Industry, and Battery Supply Chains
This report suggests that the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive is a useful framework for harmonizing existing national-level regulations on the corporate due diligence of critical mineral supply chains.
Testimony and Public Comments — Jul 25, 2025
Comment on the Department of Energy’s Request for Information on the 2026 Energy Critical Materials Assessment
This public comment analyzes energy technologies of interest, supply chain information by material, market dynamics by material, and challenges to domestic industry.
Conference — Jun 26, 2025
Critical Minerals Research Lab Conference
A webinar featuring industry experts showcasing research on critical mineral policy for the clean energy transition.
Environmental Justice Series — Jun 6, 2024
Critical Minerals, Critical Stakeholders: Engaging Local Communities in Mineral Resource Collaboration
A webinar featuring industry experts exploring the impacts of mineral extraction efforts on local communities.
RFF Live — Mar 12, 2024
Digging Deep: Critical Minerals, Electric Vehicles, and the Role of Innovation
An RFF Live event exploring critical mineral markets, increased electric vehicle demand, and technological innovation
Common Resources — Oct 27, 2025
Direct Lithium Extraction in Arkansas: A Golden Goose for the State?
New techniques for lithium extraction could mean an economic boom is coming to southwest Arkansas. Landowners and county coffers will likely benefit the most, though benefits could vary widely.
Resources Radio — Sep 30, 2025
An Unprecedented Investment in US Rare Earth Elements, with Tom Moerenhout
Tom Moerenhout discusses the recent federal investment in a privately held mine in the United States—the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine—and the potential risks and rewards of the deal.
Resources Magazine Articles — May 15, 2025
Meet the Students of the Critical Minerals Research Lab
A new collaboration between Resources for the Future and partner institutions creates a space for students to hone their research on critical minerals by working with each other, established experts in the field, and policymakers.
On the Issues — Mar 21, 2025
On the Issues: Environmental Deregulation, Canadian Fuel Tax, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: environmental deregulation, Canadian fuel tax, and more.
Press Release — Aug 13, 2025
The Critical Minerals Research Lab Welcomes A New Cohort
Sixteen PhD students will comprise the 2025-2026 cohort of the Critical Minerals Research Lab, a virtual hub for students to develop expertise on critical minerals and the energy transition.
Press Release — Apr 3, 2025
RFF Announced Another Year for Critical Minerals Research Lab
Resources for the Future is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the second year of the Critical Minerals Research Lab, a virtual hub to help PhD students develop, improve, and disseminate policy-relevant research on critical minerals.
Press Release — Sep 11, 2024
Fourteen PhD Students Chosen for New Critical Minerals Research Lab
The lab is pleased to announce that it has now selected the first class of scholars.
Press Release — Jun 12, 2024
RFF Launches Lab to Support New Critical Mineral Scholars
Resources for the Future is pleased to announce the launch of the Critical Minerals Research Lab, a virtual hub to help PhD students develop, improve, and disseminate policy-relevant research on critical minerals.
