The US has added coking coal to its list of critical minerals

The Trump administration has added 10 minerals, including copper, coking coal, and uranium, to a list of minerals critical to the US economy and national security, Reuters reports.

The United States is expanding the list as part of efforts to boost the country’s mining industry and reduce dependence on imports, especially from China.

The US Department of the Interior’s list of critical minerals is a guide for federal investment and permitting decisions, and helps shape broader mineral resource strategy.

The inclusion of metallurgical coal on the list, the agency notes, is consistent with President Donald Trump’s support for fossil fuels. In recent months, some coal mines in the US have closed due to significant supply and reduced exports to China. This year, China imposed additional tariffs of 15% on US coal imports.

The list is updated every three years by the US Geological Survey, writes the Financial Times. This list also determines which minerals are included in the upcoming review of Section 232 tariffs, which are applied to protect national security.

A similar list is maintained by the Department of Energy, which includes 41 items and was last updated in 2023.

In September, it became known that the US Department of Energy intends to cancel more than $13 billion in support allocated by the Biden administration to subsidize wind and solar energy, batteries, and electric vehicles. As noted, the statement reflected “the administration’s commitment to end wasteful spending and refocus the agency on its core mission.”