The minerals responsible for America’s future are already powering the fighter jets protecting U.S. airspace, the batteries powering electric vehicles, the semiconductors that enable consumer electronics and communications technologies, and the renewable energy systems driving the nation’s transition to a more advanced and resilient economy. Yet for many of these materials, the United States remains dangerously dependent on foreign supply.
Today, the U.S. imports roughly 80% of its rare earth elements from China, which controls an estimated 60% of global rare earth mining and roughly 85% of processing capacity. This reality moved from policy debate to strategic concern when Beijing restricted exports of gallium and germanium in 2023—two minerals essential to semiconductors, radar systems and night-vision technology.
These vulnerabilities affect far more than defense systems. As demand continues to rise, securing reliable domestic supply chains has become both an economic and national security imperative.
The critical minerals found in Utah may provide the solution to protecting U.S. national security- and our way of life
The state has access to 40 of the 50 minerals the U.S. Geological Survey classified as critical to national security and economic health. From lithium-rich brines surrounding the Great Salt Lake to copper and uranium deposits in the Paradox Basin, Utah’s geology places it among the nation’s most significant mineral regions. The Fraser Institute recently ranked Utah the top mining investment jurisdiction in North America, while organizations such as the University of Utah, Idaho National Laboratory and Rio Tinto Kennecott continue to expand the state’s expertise in extraction, processing and commercialization.
Utah’s potential to become a critical minerals hub grew even stronger last month with the announcement of the Strategic Materials Accelerator & Research Testbed (SMART), a collaboration between the University of Utah and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Designed to accelerate the development and scaling of critical minerals and rare earth technologies, SMART will provide a national testing and benchmarking platform where researchers can validate new extraction, processing and recovery solutions using industrially relevant conditions.
“The launch of SMART reflects how the University of Utah is stepping forward to help solve one of the nation’s most urgent challenges,” said University of Utah President Taylor Randall. “By bringing together our strengths in science, engineering and policy, we are accelerating solutions that strengthen national security and build a more resilient, forward-looking critical minerals ecosystem.”
While researchers across the country continue developing new methods for identifying, extracting and processing critical minerals, many innovations struggle to advance beyond early-stage testing. SMART is designed to help bridge that gap by providing industrially relevant benchmarking and validation capabilities, allowing innovators to evaluate performance, reduce technical risk and accelerate commercialization.
The initiative was developed with support from partners including 47G, the Utah Mining Association and World Trade Center Utah and builds on the University of Utah’s newly launched Institute for Critical and Strategic Minerals. Together, SMART and the Institute are helping establish Utah as a national hub for critical minerals innovation, providing a pathway for emerging technologies to move from research to commercialization while strengthening domestic supply chains.
“Critical minerals are no longer just a mining issue—they are a national security issue. The technologies that power our defense systems, energy infrastructure and advanced manufacturing all depend on secure access to these materials,” said Guy Letendre, vice president of strategic initiatives at 47G Institute. “Utah has the resources, expertise and collaborative ecosystem needed to help strengthen America’s supply chains, but continued innovation and investment will be essential to turning that potential into long-term capability.”
The long-term objective is straightforward: build a more resilient American supply chain that can take materials from mined ore, recycled electronics and other domestic sources and turn them into the components needed for modern technologies. Achieving that goal will require continued innovation in extraction, processing and manufacturing, as well as stronger connections between researchers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and investors.
That is the focus of Critical Ventures: Investing in National Security Materials.
On June 17, 47G, in collaboration with the Critical Minerals Institute, the Utah Mining Association, the Small Business Administration, Idaho National Laboratory, Park City Angels and the University of Utah, will convene industry, investment and policy leaders for a one-day event in Salt Lake City focused on the future of critical minerals and strategic materials.
Attendees will hear from leaders in national security, capital markets, technology development and resource production, explore emerging projects and discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the next generation of domestic supply chains.
Registration is open at lu.ma/xdpxdll0.