Nov 12, 2025
Trump Includes Coal on List of Critical Minerals
The Trump administration has prioritized fossil fuels in its strategy to secure critical mineral supplies. Recently, the Interior Department designated 10 minerals as essential for the U.S. economy and national security, including metallurgical coal for steelmaking, copper, silver, boron, lead, phosphate, potash, rhenium, and silicon. This list serves as a framework for ensuring supplies necessary for defense, manufacturing, and clean energy, influencing federal incentives, stockpiling, research, and investment directions.
Officials believe boosting domestic production can protect the U.S. from supply shocks or export restrictions from competitors like China, which dominates critical mineral refining. Nonetheless, the inclusion of coal and uranium—mined in areas facing restrictions—was unexpected, especially since some countries have moved away from nuclear power post-Fukushima.
While advanced economies are phasing out coal due to climate policies, demand in emerging economies has surged, particularly in India and China, where new coal capacity is being added to support renewable energy. In the U.S., some metallurgical coal mines have recently closed due to overproduction and tariffs from China.
The addition of metallurgical coal aligns with Trump’s pro-fossil fuel policies, which have included opening federal land for mining and easing Obama-era environmental regulations to lower costs for coal companies.
Other minerals on the critical list, such as potash and phosphate for fertilizers, and copper for electrification, are also vital. The copper market expects a significant deficit by 2026 due to mine disruptions, with the International Energy Agency warning of a potential supply shortfall by 2035. The largest U.S. copper producer is advocating for copper's designation as critical, citing lower grades in U.S. deposits. Silver's rising demand for solar energy, electric vehicles, and semiconductors has created a supply deficit, marking its fifth consecutive year of increased demand outpacing output.
Officials believe boosting domestic production can protect the U.S. from supply shocks or export restrictions from competitors like China, which dominates critical mineral refining. Nonetheless, the inclusion of coal and uranium—mined in areas facing restrictions—was unexpected, especially since some countries have moved away from nuclear power post-Fukushima.
While advanced economies are phasing out coal due to climate policies, demand in emerging economies has surged, particularly in India and China, where new coal capacity is being added to support renewable energy. In the U.S., some metallurgical coal mines have recently closed due to overproduction and tariffs from China.
The addition of metallurgical coal aligns with Trump’s pro-fossil fuel policies, which have included opening federal land for mining and easing Obama-era environmental regulations to lower costs for coal companies.
Other minerals on the critical list, such as potash and phosphate for fertilizers, and copper for electrification, are also vital. The copper market expects a significant deficit by 2026 due to mine disruptions, with the International Energy Agency warning of a potential supply shortfall by 2035. The largest U.S. copper producer is advocating for copper's designation as critical, citing lower grades in U.S. deposits. Silver's rising demand for solar energy, electric vehicles, and semiconductors has created a supply deficit, marking its fifth consecutive year of increased demand outpacing output.