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Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025
3/17/2025, 1:55 PM
Summary of Bill S 789
The bill requires the Department of the Interior to submit reports on critical mineral and rare earth element resources around the world. These reports will provide valuable information on the availability and distribution of these resources, helping to inform US policy and decision-making.
Additionally, the bill calls for the development of advanced mining, refining, separation, and processing technologies. By investing in these technologies, the United States can reduce its dependence on foreign sources and strengthen its domestic supply chain for critical minerals and rare earth elements. Overall, Bill 119 s 789 aims to promote the development of a strategic approach to addressing the United States' critical mineral and rare earth element needs. By increasing domestic production and investing in advanced technologies, the US can enhance its national security and economic competitiveness.
Congressional Summary of S 789
Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025
This bill establishes requirements for the Department of the Interior related to securing U.S. access to critical minerals and rare earth element (REE) resources. Critical minerals mean any mineral, element, substance, or material designated as critical by the U.S. Geological Survey. REEs mean cerium, dysprosium, erbium, europium, gadolinium, holmium, lanthanum, lutetium, neodymium, praseodymium, promethium, samarium, scandium, terbium, thulium, ytterbium, and yttrium.
First, Interior must report on the critical mineral and REE resources, including recyclable or recycled materials containing those resources, around the world. Among other information, the report must include an assessment of the global ownership and supply of critical mineral and REE resources. Interior must submit the report within a year and every two years thereafter.
Next, Interior must establish a process to assist a U.S. person—a U.S. citizen, a non-U.S. National (alien under federal law) lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or an entity organized under U.S. laws—seeking to divest stock in mining, processing, or recycling operations for critical minerals and REEs in a foreign country with finding a purchaser that is not under the control of North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran.
Finally, Interior must develop (1) a strategy to collaborate with U.S. allies and partners to develop advanced mining, refining, separation, processing, and recycling technologies; and (2) a method for sharing related intellectual property with U.S. allies and partners to enable those countries to license those technologies and develop their resources.
