WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of the Interior announced several key updates last week, including the release of the draft 2025 List of Critical Minerals, expanded access to federal lands for hunting and fishing, and renewed calls to advance the stalled Resolution Copper project in Arizona. The developments underscore the administration’s focus on securing mineral supply chains, promoting outdoor recreation, and bolstering U.S. economic and national security.
Draft 2025 Critical Minerals List Targets Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
On August 25, the Interior Department, through the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), unveiled the draft 2025 List of Critical Minerals, which identifies 54 mineral commodities considered essential to U.S. economic stability, national security, and technological innovation.
The list guides federal investments, permitting decisions, and resource strategies, including measures to strengthen domestic mining and processing capabilities, reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, and expand stockpiles. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum emphasized that securing critical resources is central to U.S. leadership in energy, defense, and technology sectors.
The draft includes potash, silicon, copper, silver, rhenium, and lead as newly recommended additions, while arsenic and tellurium are proposed for removal. The methodology underpinning the list incorporates a new USGS model that assessed more than 1,200 potential trade disruption scenarios affecting 84 mineral commodities and 402 industries.
The model evaluated both the scale and likelihood of supply disruptions, identifying samarium, rhodium, lutetium, terbium, dysprosium, gallium, germanium, gadolinium, tungsten, and niobium as the top ten minerals posing the greatest probability-weighted economic risks.
Though probability-weighted impacts appear modest against the $29 trillion U.S. economy, the analysis highlights that real-world disruptions could significantly destabilize industries ranging from semiconductors and defense systems to renewable energy production. Public comments on the draft list will remain open until September 26, 2025.
Expanded Hunting and Fishing Opportunities Nationwide
On August 27, the Interior Department announced a sweeping expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities across more than 87,000 acres managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Fish Hatchery System.
The update introduces 42 new recreational opportunities across 17 units in 11 states, including Alabama, California, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington.
Secretary Burgum said the initiative reflects the administration’s broader strategy to reduce regulatory burdens while supporting outdoor recreation and conservation. Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service Brian Nesvik highlighted the economic and environmental importance of these activities, noting that hunting and fishing contributed more than $144 billion to the U.S. economy in 2022 and play a critical role in wildlife population management.
Resolution Copper Project Faces New Legal Hurdles
On August 29, Secretary Burgum expressed frustration over a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision to block a congressionally approved land exchange required for the Resolution Copper project in Arizona.
The project, authorized to supply up to 25% of U.S. copper demand for the next 50 years, has faced repeated delays despite legislative backing and extensive environmental reviews. Burgum warned that continued judicial interference threatens 3,700 American jobs and leaves the United States increasingly dependent on foreign-controlled copper supply chains.
With one nation now dominating over 50% of global copper processing, officials argue that domestic production is vital for supporting national defense, energy infrastructure, AI data centers, and other advanced technologies. “The Ninth Circuit needs to lift the stay immediately and allow the project to move forward after years of delay,” Burgum said, calling the mine “vital to America’s long-term security and competitiveness.”
Strategic Focus on Resources and Recreation
Collectively, these actions reflect a coordinated strategy aimed at strengthening U.S. supply chains, expanding access to natural resources, and reducing regulatory complexity while promoting economic growth. By combining mineral policy updates, outdoor recreation initiatives, and energy infrastructure priorities, the Interior Department continues to position resource security at the center of federal policymaking.
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