In this episode, host Kristin Hayes is joined by Beia Spiller, a fellow and director of the transportation program at Resources for the Future (RFF), to explore new RFF research findings on critical minerals. (Note that this podcast episode is a sneak preview of a forthcoming report! We will add a link to the report in the show notes once the research has been released on the RFF website. Stay tuned.) To understand contemporary market dynamics for critical minerals, Spiller says that one must understand the history of mineral extraction in the United States. With high operational costs, explained in part by environmental regulations and workforce limitations, and with overseas firms bypassing many of these expenses, the US supply of critical minerals lies at the intersection of national security and global market tensions. While critical mineral policies in recent history have taken varied approaches—bilateral, multilateral, plurilateral, and more—evaluating the efficacy and implications of these policies is key to understanding which mechanisms actually advance US goals. Spiller argues that effectively addressing this “critical” issue requires a clear prioritization of policy objectives and concerns.

References and recommendations:

Stay tuned for the forthcoming report on critical minerals!

The Critical Minerals Research Lab is now open for applications through May 31: https://www.rff.org/news/press-releases/critical-minerals-research-lab-now-accepting-applications/

Critical Minerals Research Lab; https://www.rff.org/topics/transportation/critical-minerals/critical-minerals-research-lab/

“Burn Book” by Kara Swisher; https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Burn-Book/Kara-Swisher/9781982163907

“Future of Travel: Is It Boom or Bust Time for EVs?” featuring Beia Spiller as a guest on the “Pivot” podcast hosted by Kara Switcher and Scott Galloway; https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-of-travel-is-it-boom-or-bust-time-for-evs/id1073226719?i=1000660297338

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