The US Critical Minerals list is compiled every three years by the United States Geological Survey, with a goal of identifying commodities that have “important uses and no viable substitutes, yet face potential disruption in supply, and are considered critical to the Nation’s economic and national security.” For a mining project, having minerals on this list can lead to enhanced cooperation from government officials and a more streamlined permitting process.

Molybdenum (moly) is a logical candidate for inclusion on the US critical minerals list, and Idaho Copper is taking a leading role in lobbying for its inclusion. It is vital for US defense, where it is an ingredient in lubricants, fortifies the steel used in US tanks, and is important in jet engine components. More broadly, it is an alloy that is critical in steel production, especially stainless and other value-added steels.

Presently China controls 56% of the world’s molybdenum production, with the US at only 18%. As the US moves toward self-sufficiency with respect to resources, moly is one of numerous minerals where a disruption in foreign supplies could cripple the US economy.  To address this vulnerability, the US should follow the lead of Canada and the UK, both of which have included moly on their critical mineral lists.

Copper is a cornerstone of modern infrastructure and an essential element of the clean energy transition. Electric vehicles require four times more copper than conventional cars, a single wind turbine uses nearly five tons, and solar demand is projected to increase copper use by more than 60-fold by 2040. Beyond renewable energy, copper is vital for electrical wiring, grid expansion, AI data centers, and national defense.

The U.S. imported 46% of its copper consumption in 2023, up sharply from 37% in 2019, underscoring the country’s growing reliance on foreign suppliers. Recognizing this vulnerability, the U.S. Geological Survey has proposed adding copper to the federal Critical Minerals list. Such a designation would highlight copper’s importance to economic and national security while creating pathways for streamlined permitting and potential access to federal grants. With one of the largest undeveloped copper resources in the United States, Idaho Copper is well positioned to contribute meaningfully to a secure domestic supply.

Silver is more than a precious metal – it is a strategic industrial mineral with unmatched conductive and antimicrobial properties. It is essential in the production of solar panels, advanced electronics, semiconductors, and medical technologies, all of which are critical to U.S. defense and clean energy infrastructure.

The U.S. Geological Survey has proposed adding silver to the Critical Minerals list, reflecting its increasingly vital role in both national defense and the global energy transition. The CuMo Project contains nearly 180 million ounces of measured and indicated silver resources, making Idaho Copper one of the largest potential domestic contributors to U.S. silver supply. By responsibly developing this resource, Idaho Copper can help reduce reliance on foreign imports and strengthen the nation’s resilience in critical industries.

Rhenium is one of the rarest elements in the Earth’s crust and is critical to national defense and advanced energy technologies. It is a key alloying agent in superalloys used for jet engines, gas turbines, and other high-temperature aerospace applications where strength and resistance to heat are paramount. Its scarcity and lack of substitutes make rhenium strategically important to both defense and energy security.

Global rhenium production is limited, with much of the supply concentrated outside the United States. The CuMo Project contains potentially recoverable rhenium as a co-product, providing Idaho Copper with an opportunity to contribute to securing domestic rhenium supply. With the U.S. government actively supporting projects that strengthen critical mineral supply chains, rhenium resources at CuMo enhance the project’s strategic importance and potential eligibility for federal support.

Tungsten is prized for its exceptional density, hardness, and highest melting point of all metals, making it indispensable in defense, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. It is used in armor-piercing projectiles, cutting tools, drilling equipment, and electronics. Tungsten’s unique properties mean that few materials can replace it, and global supply disruptions would directly impact industries critical to U.S. security.

China currently dominates the global tungsten market, producing the majority of world supply. This dependency has been identified as a strategic risk for the U.S., where tungsten is designated as a critical mineral. The CuMo Project contains significant quantities of tungsten as a byproduct, positioning Idaho Copper to play a meaningful role in diversifying U.S. supply. As the federal government expands support for domestic critical mineral projects, tungsten production from CuMo could help safeguard U.S. defense and industrial capabilities.