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
Industry and Fuels
RFF’s researchers are exploring technological and policy solutions that can decarbonize the industrial sector, including regulations, performance standards, policies for public procurement, market-creation approaches, and policies to fund innovation—along
The Critical Minerals Research Lab
An interdisciplinary hub to help PhD students develop, improve, and disseminate policy-relevant research on critical minerals for the clean energy transition.
Transportation
Understanding the costs, benefits, and consequences of transportation policies
Featured Content
- Highlights
- Publications
- Events
- Editorial
- News
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.
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.
Press Release — Apr 3, 2025
RFF Launches Lab to Support New Critical Mineral Scholars
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.
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.
Report — Mar 20, 2025
“Mineral Security” Policy for Electric Vehicle Battery Minerals
This report analyzes the geopolitical and economic risks associated with minerals important to electric vehicle batteries.
Issue Brief — Jan 17, 2025
Digging Deep: Critical Mineral Supply Chains, Electric Vehicles, and the Role of Technological Innovation
Digging Deep: Critical Mineral Supply Chains, Electric Vehicles, and the Role of Technological Innovation
Working Paper — Sep 16, 2024
What Is “Mineral Security” and What Policies Are Needed to Achieve It? Lessons from Oil Security
What Is “Mineral Security” and What Policies Are Needed to Achieve It? Lessons from Oil Security
Report — Dec 7, 2023
Policy Challenges for Accessing Critical Minerals to Electrify Vehicle Transport
This report explores challenges to accessing the supply of critical minerals necessary for widespread vehicle electrification in the United States.
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
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.
Common Resources — Mar 20, 2025
Market Power in Critical Mineral Supply Chains for Electric Vehicle Batteries
Policymakers who want to increase the capacity of the United States to process critical minerals for electric vehicle batteries need to weigh the trade-offs between the cost of investment and the potential benefits of reduced Chinese market power.
Common Resources — Mar 11, 2025
Your Questions Answered: Community Engagement and Critical Minerals Mining
Experts on critical minerals discuss questions about how mining companies, governments, and local communities can collaborate to create equitable outcomes for critical mineral mining projects.
Press Release — Apr 3, 2025
RFF Launches Lab to Support New Critical Mineral Scholars
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.
Media Highlight — Jan 1, 2024
Scientific American: “There’s a Better Way to Mine for Electric Vehicle Batteries”
RFF Fellow Beia Spiller and former RFF intern Sangita Kannan share their thoughts on improving critical mineral mining practices in their coauthored op-ed.
