Strategic Minerals

• U.S. Dependence on Imports: The United States is entirely reliant on imported titanium sponge, and 92% of rare earths originate from China, creating strategic vulnerabilities for military and industrial applications.
• Thorium as a Strategic Mineral: Thorium is abundant, three times more prevalent than uranium, and predominantly co-located with rare earth deposits. Its regulatory classification in the United States complicates mining operations.
• Molten Salt Reactors: Developed by Alvin Weinberg in the 1960s, thorium-fueled molten salt reactors offer:

James Black highlighted the strategic complexity and uncertainty surrounding critical minerals. He emphasized that while governments and companies often frame challenges in terms of “risk,” true understanding is limited because…

Professor Miloš Ivković underscored the pivotal role of critical minerals in contemporary geopolitical dynamics, highlighting the intricate balance between dependency and cooperation. He cautioned that resources classified as “critical” are…

Hon. Maria Gabriela Burgos commented about the change that occurred in Jujuy; she expressed that previously only tobacco was cultivated, but around 2015, there was a change in the productive…