The next 10 promising, and federally fast-tracked, mining projects across the US are positioned to meet the country’s rising critical mineral demands. They are highly strategic because they target minerals the country officially classifies as critical to economic and national security.
- Hermosa zinc and manganese project (Arizona)
Historically significant as the first mine to receive FAST-41 federal permitting acceleration. It is a $2 billion development in the Patagonia Mountains of southern Arizona. Operated by South32, it is the only advanced-stage mine in the US positioned to produce domestically mined battery-grade manganese and zinc. Moving forward following a major federal approval and a significant revision to its timeline and budget.
- Thacker Pass lithium project (Nevada):
Lithium Americas’ flagship lithium deposit, critical for the expanding US electric vehicle supply chain. It is an open-pit mining development set to begin production in 2027 with a 40-year mine life, and holds the largest known lithium resource in the country.
- Elk Creek niobium, scandium and titanium project (Nebraska)
Developed by NioCorp Developments which targets high-performance critical metals essential for aerospace and defense. It is a shovel-ready mine and processing facility in Johnson County and aims to extract North America’s highest-grade niobium, along with magnetic rare earth elements.
- Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project (Nevada)
Owned by Ioneer, it is a massive, dual-mineral site poised to become a major domestic supplier of battery-grade lithium. It features the only known lithium-boron deposit in North America and aims to supply vital materials for EV batteries and green technology.
- Twin Metals copper, nickel and palladium project (Minnesota)
Recently placed on government’s priority fast-track list, it is a proposed $2 billion underground mine in northeastern Minnesota, aimed at supplying metals for the green energy economy.
- Round Top Mountain heavy rare-earth and critical mineral project (Texas)
The $1.4 billion project is owned by USA Rare Earth, and designed to establish a domestic magnet supply. It is a massive deposit of heavy rare earth elements and critical minerals, and expects commercial production by late 2028.
- Graphite Creek project (Alaska)
Owned by Graphite One, it is a proposed open pit mine on the Seward Peninsula in Alaska, and recognised as the largest known graphite deposit in the US. It is the cornerstone of an effort to build a vertically integrated, domestic graphite supply chain.
8 Niblack copper-gold-silver-zinc project (Alaska)
NexGold Mining Corp’s high-grade development on Prince of Wales Island. It is an advanced-exploration, polymetallic Volcanic Hosted Massive Sulfide deposit containing indicated resources of 5.85 Mt. Situated adjacent to tidewater, the 6.200-acre property benefits from pre-existing infrastructure, including 3.300 ft of underground development, a dock and on-site water treatment facilities.
- Santa Cruz copper project (Arizona)
An underground copper mine under development in Casa Grande, Arizona, owned by Ivanhoe Electric. Targeting initial construction this year and first production in 2028, it aims to produce 1.4 Mt of pure copper cathode without overseas smelting.
- Stibnite gold project (Idaho)
Perpetua Resources’ multi-metal project is focused on simultaneously producing gold, antimony and restoring a historically abandoned mining site. It is a $1.3 billion open-pit mining development aiming to extract up to 6 million ounces of gold and 148 million pounds of antimony, while also cleaning up the century-old abandoned mining site.
