The US Department of the Interior on 25 August published a draft 2025 Critical Minerals List that expands the roster to 54 commodities and, for the first time, designates copper, potash, silver, lead, silicon and rhenium as critical to the economy and national security. The proposal, released by the US Geological Survey in the Federal Register, is open for public comment for 30 days. Inclusion on the list can make mining and processing projects eligible for federal funding, expedited permitting and other incentives, while imported supplies may face fees. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the draft “provides a clear, science-based roadmap to reduce our dependence on foreign adversaries and expand domestic production.” Copper is integral to the power grid, transportation and defense systems; potash is used in fertilizer; and silver, lead, silicon and rhenium have applications ranging from electronics to aerospace. The update advances the Trump administration’s broader push to rebuild US supply chains for critical minerals and lessen reliance on China. The department also invited comment on whether metallurgical coal and uranium should be added before the list is finalized later this year.