The term 'critical minerals' refers to a group of minerals that are essential for various sectors of the economy, such as defense, technology, healthcare, and clean energy. They are considered critical due to their scarcity, importance to economic security, and vulnerability to supply disruptions. The government is releasing a list of critical minerals for several reasons: 1. Supply security: Identifying critical minerals helps the government better understand which minerals are most at risk of supply disruptions and allows for proactive measures to secure their availability. 2. Economic competitiveness: Critical minerals are essential for the production of high-tech products and clean energy technologies. By recognizing their significance, the government can incentivize domestic mining, processing, and recycling to enhance economic competitiveness. 3. National defense: Critical minerals are crucial for defense technologies, making their availability a matter of national security. 4. International cooperation: The list provides transparency and helps facilitate international cooperation and partnerships to address critical mineral challenges collectively. Overall, the government's release of a list of critical minerals aims to promote resource efficiency, enhance national security, and stimulate domestic production in strategic sectors.