This bill would create a framework for the United States to work with allies to secure a reliable supply of critical minerals, including in mining, processing, and recycling, and to build domestic and international capacity. It would establish the Minerals Security Partnership to coordinate investment, information sharing, and joint projects, and set negotiating objectives for an international coalition.
It also authorizes funding and creates diplomatic tools to support private-sector projects abroad. The goal is to reduce vulnerability in mineral supply chains while upholding labor, environmental, and governance standards.
At a Glance
What It Does
The President may negotiate an international coalition to facilitate mining, processing, recycling, and advanced manufacturing that relies on critical minerals and to secure an adequate supply for the United States and coalition members.
Who It Affects
Industries involved in mining, refining, recycling, and manufacturing that depend on critical minerals; allied governments and international partners; private-sector project developers and investors.
Why It Matters
It signals a formal, government-wide effort to diversify supply chains, reduce dependence on adversaries, and coordinate investment and governance standards with international partners.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The bill defines a broad set of critical minerals and outlines a policy framework to build secure, resilient supply chains through international collaboration. It directs the United States to work with allies to advance mining, refining, reclamation, recycling, and the responsible production of minerals that are essential to national security and economic vitality.
A centerpiece is the Minerals Security Partnership, a forum and mechanism for coordinating joint projects, cost-sharing, and market-based incentives to secure supply chains and support manufacturing that depends on these minerals. The bill also emphasizes recovering value from used materials and ensuring domestic development remains a priority.
It contemplates U.S. leadership in diplomacy and financing to promote secure supply chains while adhering to standards on labor rights, the environment, and governance. The Act envisions close congressional consultation during negotiations and includes a suite of tools to engage private-sector players and host countries in pursuing secure mineral projects.
It also contemplates U.S. participation in the International Nickel Study Group and a dedicated appropriation to support these efforts.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The definition of critical minerals is expanded to include gold and copper and to cover minerals deemed essential and vulnerable to disruption.
The President is authorized to negotiate an international coalition to secure critical mineral supply chains and enable related manufacturing.
The Minerals Security Partnership is created to coordinate investment, information-sharing, and joint projects with market-based incentives and ESG standards.
The United States may join the International Nickel Study Group and finance its participation.
A $50 million appropriations line is authorized for FY2026 to strengthen critical mineral supply-chain security.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
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Short Title
The act may be cited as the Critical Minerals Partnership Act of 2025, establishing the framework and scope for the policy goals and programs that follow.
Definition of Critical Mineral
The bill defines critical minerals as those essential to US economic security with vulnerable supply chains. The amended text explicitly includes gold and copper, and adds that other minerals may be designated by the Secretary of State based on national-security relevance and supply-chain risk.
Statement of Policy on Critical Mineral Supply Chains
This section states a policy to build secure and resilient mineral supply chains through international collaboration in mining, processing, reclamation, recycling, and valuation; prioritize domestic development and recycling; reduce dependence on adversaries; strengthen evaluation capabilities in trusted providers; create market-based incentives; and ensure that cooperation with allies does not replace domestic development.
International Negotiations Relating to Protecting Critical Mineral Supply Chains
The President is authorized to negotiate a coalition with international partners to facilitate mining, processing, recycling, and advanced manufacturing that depends on critical minerals, and to secure an adequate supply of minerals, inputs, and components among member countries. Negotiating objectives include establishing resilient supply chains, achieving economies of scale, and enabling joint investments and infrastructure.
Minerals Security Partnership Authorization
The Secretary of State leads U.S. participation in the MSP to identify and support investments in critical-mineral projects, coordinate regional diplomatic engagement, work with missions abroad, and share information. The MSP may fund or provide mechanisms for cost-sharing, insurance, financing, and other support; it prioritizes projects advancing U.S. and allied security interests and encourages ESG-compliant selection criteria.
United States Membership in the International Nickel Study Group
The President may accept and maintain U.S. membership in the International Nickel Study Group, with annual contributions payable from appropriations for Contributions to International Organizations.
Authorization of Appropriations
The bill authorizes $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to the Department of State to enhance critical mineral supply chain security and implement the Act.
Diplomatic Strategy for Securing Critical Minerals
The Secretary of State must develop a strategy within 180 days to secure diverse critical mineral supply chains, outlining coordination among offices, use of U.S. tools, engagement plans with allies and partner countries, and multilateral collaboration.
Establishment of Diplomatic Tool for Private Sector Projects Abroad
The Secretary of State must establish a mechanism to support private-sector critical mineral projects abroad, including certifying that projects uphold labor rights and minimize environmental impacts, and enabling engagement with U.S. embassies to support pursuing projects.
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Explore Foreign Affairs in Codify Search →Who Benefits and Who Bears the Cost
Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- U.S. mining, refining, and recycling firms gain access to MSP opportunities, shared projects, and risk-sharing mechanisms.
- Allied governments benefit from diversified, secure supply chains and cooperative investment.
- U.S. manufacturers in defense, energy, and technology sectors gain stable access to critical minerals.
- U.S. policymakers and agencies gain improved coordination and tools to influence international supply chains.
- Host countries participating in projects can realize economic development tied to secure mineral supply.
Who Bears the Cost
- U.S. taxpayers fund the appropriations and administration of MSP activities.
- Private sector participants may incur compliance costs associated with ESG and governance criteria in project selection.
- Agency resources and diplomatic efforts require budgetary and personnel commitments.
- Non-member countries seeking access to MSP benefits may face participation constraints.
- Potential costs associated with environmental or labor standards are borne by project operators and host communities as applicable.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
Balancing the pursuit of diversified, secure minerals through international collaboration with the imperative to maintain and grow domestic mineral development and ensure consistent labor, environmental, and governance standards across a heterogeneous set of partner countries.
The bill envisions a broad, concerted international effort to diversify and secure critical mineral supply chains through a formal coalition and a dedicated partnership mechanism. The reliance on market-based incentives and multi-donor collaboration introduces complexity in project selection, risk-sharing, and governance, and raises questions about how ESG standards will be applied across varied jurisdictions.
While the act seeks to safeguard U.S. security and economic interests, it also relies on strong diplomacy, careful budgeting, and robust coordination with multiple federal agencies and partner countries—factors that could complicate execution. Unresolved questions include how to balance domestic development with international investment, how to ensure access for non-member partners, and how to manage potential tensions with countries that control key mineral resources.
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