加强美国关键矿产供应链的多维战略（英）-威尔逊中心-2021-28页_2mb

Summary of The Mosaic Approach: A Multidimensional Strategy for Strengthening America's Critical Minerals Supply Chain

Core Content

This report outlines the vulnerabilities in the United States' critical minerals supply chain (CMSC) and proposes a Mosaic Approach to address them. The approach emphasizes the need for collaboration between the private sector and government, at both national and international levels, to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of the U.S. in securing access to essential minerals for clean energy, national security, and economic growth.

Main Vulnerabilities in the CMSC

1. Rising Demand and Supply Constraints

   • The demand for critical minerals is growing rapidly, driven by the clean energy transition and technological advancements.
   • The U.S. lags behind in production and processing capabilities, especially compared to China.
   • Supply chains face challenges due to underinvestment in infrastructure, technology, and human capital, as well as long lead times from exploration to production.
   • The U.S. is not able to meet the demand in time, as it takes 10+ years to map resources and 7–10 years to bring them to market.

2. Global Competition and the China Challenge

   • China dominates the global critical minerals market, controlling over 65% of REE extraction and 85% of REE processing.
   • China is also the largest consumer and producer of cobalt and nickel, despite these resources being more widely distributed.
   • Chinese firms benefit from lower ESG standards, favorable financing, and government subsidies, which give them a competitive edge over U.S. firms.
   • U.S. firms are often reluctant to invest due to the perceived high risk of mining, both in terms of environmental, social, and political factors.

3. Governance and ESG Challenges

   • The U.S. faces regulatory and permitting hurdles that delay mining projects and increase costs.
   • The U.S. has a complex, multi-level permitting process that can take 7–10 years, compared to 2 years in countries like Canada and Australia.
   • ESG standards are more stringent in the U.S., which makes it difficult for U.S. firms to compete globally.
   • There is a lack of transparency and anti-corruption measures in some international mining operations, which undermines the U.S. position.

Key Recommendations

Government Actions

• Explicitly recognize the strategic importance of critical minerals for both geopolitical competitiveness and climate change mitigation.
• Streamline the permitting process to reduce delays and lower the cost of developing new mines.
• Invest in domestic processing facilities and resource mapping to improve production capacity.
• Stockpile critical minerals to ensure resilience against supply shocks.
• Support human capital development through education, training, and partnerships with universities and community colleges.
• Promote a long-term vision for the sector, including tax credits and policy reforms to support domestic production.

Private Sector Actions

• Invest in resource development, processing, and technology to lower costs and improve efficiency.
• Seek long-term, fixed-price contracts to secure supply and reduce financial risk.
• Improve public perception of the mining industry by highlighting its role in clean energy and sustainability.
• Develop human capital through lifelong learning initiatives and collaboration with educational institutions.
• Engage with local communities and policymakers to build trust and support for mining projects.

International Actions

• Work with allies and partners to develop new resources and standardize practices.
• Leverage the USMCA and strengthen North American mining industries.
• Promote a global regime for critical minerals that includes minimum ESG standards and transparency measures.
• Avoid reinventing standards and instead use ally standards as a basis for international cooperation.
• Invest in diplomatic and economic engagement to build a more equitable global supply chain.

Conclusion

The U.S. must take a comprehensive and coordinated approach to address the complex challenges facing the critical minerals supply chain. This includes increasing investment, reforming regulations, and enhancing international cooperation. The Mosaic Approach calls for strategic alignment between government and private sector efforts, as well as international collaboration, to ensure long-term resilience and geopolitical security in the global critical minerals market.