critical mineral

American  

[krit-i-kuhl min-er-uhl, min-ruhl] / ˈkrɪt ɪ kəl ˈmɪn ər əl, ˈmɪn rəl /

noun

1. a mineral or element, such as aluminum, cobalt, lithium, or nickel, that is declared by the U.S. government to be necessary for the production of nationally important technologies and is difficult to source, especially because of its rarity or location.

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Etymology

Origin of critical mineral

First recorded in 2005–10

Example Sentences

In a sign of deepening concern among other Western governments, the European Union announced new measures this month to reduce the bloc's dependence on China for securing the critical minerals.

From Barron's

Geological Survey last month added met coal to its critical minerals list.

From The Wall Street Journal

In its first meeting in November, Merz’s newly created National Security Council addressed the strategic risks of China’s dominance of several critical minerals.

From The Wall Street Journal

But China currently accounts for roughly one-third of global chip manufacturing — and also possesses a chokehold on critical minerals, such as gallium and germanium, that make chip manufacturing possible.

From MarketWatch

China dominates the critical minerals market while supplying about 90% of the world’s rare earths.

From The Wall Street Journal