The United States is grappling with a critical minerals crisis. The demand for essential minerals is rising rapidly, and the country’s increasing reliance on imports, particularly from China, is exacerbating the problem. Recently, China retaliated against U.S. restrictions on semiconductor manufacturing equipment by halting the supply of key minerals—germanium, gallium and antimony—that are crucial to semiconductor production and military applications.
China has effectively become a one-man “minerals OPEC,” using its control over these essential resources as a geopolitical tool. The U.S. must address this glaring vulnerability.
America’s minerals challenge isn’t geological—our country is rich in vital resources like lithium, copper, uranium, germanium, gallium, and antimony. What we lack are secure, efficient supply chains to ensure that these resources are harnessed effectively to support our economic, energy, and national security needs.
To tackle this, smart policy and investment in the mining workforce are essential. Unfortunately, our mining workforce talent pool is inadequate to meet the soaring demand for minerals. Shortages of skilled workers—from truck drivers and electricians to data scientists and mining engineers—are already slowing down domestic operations.
With a wave of retirements expected by 2029, the U.S. will need to replace over 200,000 mining workers. This is a major challenge, but it also presents a significant opportunity. Especially when we consider the mounting $1.6 trillion student loan crisis, encouraging young Americans to pursue careers in the mining sector—where nearly $95,000 is the average salary—could provide a path to well-paying, stable jobs.
Mining careers are not just jobs; they are technology-driven and offer opportunities for innovation. The rapid adoption of robotics and autonomous vehicles is transforming mining, enabling industries like smartphones, electric vehicles, data centers, and AI to thrive. These innovations, fueled by minerals and miners, are driving technological revolutions.
To meet the growing demand for mineral resources, we must prioritize expanding the mining workforce. This includes changing perceptions in schools, offering more opportunities through trade schools, and reinvesting in mining engineering programs. This is not just about growing the workforce—it is about securing the nation’s economic and national security.
China has made significant investments in its mining industry and workforce to bolster its geopolitical and industrial power. The country boasts 45 mining engineering programs, graduating 3,000 mining engineers annually. In contrast, the U.S. has only 600 mining engineering students, a number that has dropped 40% over the last eight years.
We must strengthen our mining engineering programs. There is bipartisan support for legislation like the Mining Schools Act, which would allocate $10 million annually to support mining schools in recruiting students and advancing research. While a modest investment, this program could be key in boosting our domestic mining capabilities and reducing reliance on China’s mineral supply chains.
The global race for industrial dominance is intensifying, and minerals are at the heart of it. From semiconductors to electric vehicles, AI to data centers, minerals are the building blocks of the technologies that power our future. Until Washington treats mineral policy and the growth of the U.S. mining workforce as a national priority, the U.S. will remain vulnerable to geopolitical pressures and continue to lag behind China in this critical sector.
