Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025: New Reporting Rules Target Foreign Control, Boost U.S. and Allied Mining

The Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025 is all about figuring out who controls the world's supply of critical minerals and rare earth elements—stuff that's vital for everything from smartphones to fighter jets. This bill, if passed, would require the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress every two years, starting one year after enactment, on the global landscape of these resources. (SEC. 2)

Mapping the Mines

The core of the bill is about transparency and strategic assessment. The Department of the Interior will have to identify which mineral resources are controlled by "foreign entities of concern," which are owned by the U.S. or its allies, and which are up for grabs. (SEC. 2 (a)(1)). Think of it like a global mineral map, showing who's got what, and importantly, who doesn't have control.

For mines that are actively producing significant amounts of these minerals, the report must estimate annual output, remaining mineral volume, and identify the country and entity operating the mine, along with their access to the output. The ultimate beneficial owners and their ownership percentages must also be identified. (SEC. 2 (a)(3)).

For example, if a mine in, say, Australia is churning out lithium (essential for EV batteries), the report will detail how much they're producing, how much is left, and who ultimately owns and benefits from that operation. If it turns out that a "foreign entity of concern" has significant control, that's going to raise some red flags. (SEC. 2 (a)(3)(C-D)).

Beyond the Mines

The bill isn't just about existing mines. It also wants to know why certain resources aren't being mined commercially. (SEC. 2 (a)(2)). This could highlight regulatory hurdles, technological limitations, or even political instability that's preventing resource development.

It also tasks the Interior, along with the State Department, to figure out how to better collaborate with countries where these minerals are located, mined or processed, to ensure the U.S. and its allies have continued access. (SEC. 2 (a)(7)).

Tech and Teamwork

Beyond reporting, the bill aims to boost the development of advanced mining, refining, separation, processing, and recycling technologies. The Secretary of the Interior, working with the Secretary of Energy, will create a strategy to collaborate with allied countries on this front, including a way to share the resulting intellectual property. (SEC. 2 (c)(1)). This could mean anything from new extraction techniques that are less environmentally damaging to more efficient ways to recycle old electronics for their valuable components.

Protecting U.S. Investments

Finally, the bill includes a provision for U.S. individuals planning to divest from foreign critical mineral operations. They'll have a process to notify the government, and the Secretary of the Interior can even help them find a buyer not controlled by a "covered nation." (SEC. 2 (b)(1)). This is about keeping these critical resources out of the hands of potentially adversarial entities.

Challenges in Implementation

While the bill aims for greater transparency and security, there are potential hitches. Defining "foreign entities of concern" will be crucial, and could become a source of international friction. (SEC. 2 (a)(5)). The bill also needs to ensure that increased domestic mining, if it occurs, is done responsibly and sustainably. And, as always, international collaboration can be a complex dance, especially when valuable resources are involved.