On August 25, 2025, the U.S. announced a proposal to include copper, potash, silver, lead, and silicon in its draft critical minerals list for 2025, highlighting their significance to economic stability and national security. The Geological Survey, part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, published the draft in the Federal Register, opening it for public comment for 30 days.

United States Department of the Interior logo and U.S. flag are seen in this illustration taken April 23, 2025.

Inclusion on this list, updated every three years, can qualify projects for federal funding, streamline permitting processes, or enhance competitiveness through import fees, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. Copper is essential for transportation, defense, and the U.S. power grid, which faces increased electricity demand—the first in 20 years—driven by data centers and artificial intelligence. Potash, a potassium-rich salt, is primarily used in fertilizer production.

The draft list aims to guide efforts to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on imports, said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum: “This roadmap supports our goal of strengthening supply chains for critical minerals vital to our economy and security.”

Earlier this year, executive orders from President Donald Trump instructed the Interior Department to evaluate adding metallurgical coal, used in steel production, and uranium, a fuel for nuclear power plants, to the list. While neither was included in the draft, the department welcomes public input on their potential inclusion in the final list.