United States: Mining

Venezuela's post-Maduro reopening is creating unprecedented opportunities for foreign investors across energy, mining, telecommunications, and infrastructure sectors. With expanding OFAC sanctions relief, landmark legislative reforms, and major US companies nearing multibillion-dollar deals, the country presents investment prospects not seen in a generation—though success requires disciplined navigation of corruption, security, and regulatory risks.

Three bipartisan bills passed by the U.S. House of Representatives aim to revolutionize domestic recovery and recycling of critical minerals from waste streams, particularly lithium-ion batteries. The legislation addresses regulatory barriers under RCRA that currently complicate battery recycling operations and establishes new federal programs to coordinate critical mineral recovery efforts. Will these measures successfully position America to compete in the global race for critical mineral independence?

The Trump administration accelerated domestic critical minerals production in August 2026 through billions in new mining investments, DOE grants for battery manufacturing and mineral processing, and Department of War direct investments targeting supply chain vulnerabilities. Congressional Democrats are now escalating oversight investigations, citing transparency concerns and potential conflicts of interest in the administration's international minerals agreements.

An executive order significantly reduces the boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, removing federal protections from certain lands. Within 60 days, these lands will become available for mineral leasing, geothermal development, and mining operations under applicable federal law.

The Department of Justice has launched the FOCUS initiative to encourage data miners to file qui tam complaints under the False Claims Act, but these outsiders face significant legal hurdles including the public disclosure...

Minimal progress has been achieved towards a permanent settlement of conflict between the DRC and the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23. Fighting in the eastern Congo persists, and both sides continue to accuse...

Strategic realignment, supply‑chain security and interventionist regulators are setting the tone for 2026

The United States is taking steps to secure access to critical minerals as geopolitical competition and supply chain pressures intensify.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) and the Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DBIC) have opened major new funding pathways aimed at strengthening domestic critical mineral supply chains.