S. 2550 — Critical Minerals Partnership Act of 2025

This section defines the term "critical mineral" for this Act to include (1) any mineral, element, substance, or material designated as critical by the Secretary of the Interior under section 7002 of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606)—which excludes fuel minerals and common varieties of sand, gravel, and similar materials—and (2) any other mineral or mineral material determined by the Secretary of State to be essential to U.S. economic or national security with a supply chain vulnerable to disruption.

This section establishes U.S. policy on critical mineral supply chains as follows: (1) collaborate with allies and partners to build secure and resilient supply chains, including in mining, processing, reclamation and recycling, and valuation; (2) prioritize domestic development, production, and recycling of critical minerals, including from used goods or equipment, for domestic needs and export to allies; (3) reduce or eliminate reliance on supply chains controlled by China, Russia, Iran, or other U.S. adversaries; (4) work with allies to enhance evaluation capability and technology in trusted countries to avoid exports of adversary-controlled critical minerals or dependent products; (5) identify and implement market-based incentives for secure supply chains, including recycling from waste streams; (6) prioritize securing supply chains in U.S. foreign policy, including through economic tools for responsible investments in partner countries that benefit local populations; and (7) ensure such collaboration does not replace domestic development, production, or recycling efforts.

This section authorizes the President to negotiate an agreement with international partners to establish a coalition of member countries to facilitate mining, processing, recycling, and advanced manufacturing involving critical minerals (i.e., minerals essential for technologies such as batteries, electronics, and defense systems) and to secure adequate supplies of critical minerals and related products, components, and manufacturing inputs for the U.S. and coalition members. The agreement's negotiating objectives include (1) building secure, resilient supply chains with economies of scale and joint investments; (2) providing market-based incentives such as financing and insurance for mining, processing, recycling, and transportation; (3) establishing best practices to protect labor rights, the environment, and communities; (4) promoting economic growth in developing countries; (5) creating a consortium to compete for deposits in nonmember countries; (6) conducting annual joint resource mapping; (7) enabling enforcement of environmental judgments; and (8) ensuring national treatment investment protections. This section requires the Secretary of State to consult closely with the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs during negotiations.

This section authorizes the Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, to lead U.S. participation in the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP)—a multilateral initiative with allies and partners to diversify and secure critical mineral supply chains—for specified purposes. Those purposes include (1) identifying and supporting investments in commercial critical mineral mining, processing, and refining projects; (2) coordinating diplomatic strategies, U.S. missions abroad, and MSP members; (3) establishing information-sharing mechanisms and policies for joint projects, including potential funding for cost-sharing, insurance, and investments; and (4) supporting a coalition under section 4, if applicable. The section further authorizes the Secretary to establish and maintain a database of critical mineral projects to provide information to the private sector (and optionally MSP members) to spur investment and supply chain resilience. It requires prioritizing personnel with expertise in critical minerals supply chains, multi-donor financing, coalition-building, trade, and national security issues; ensuring coordination with the private sector and civil society; and prioritizing projects that advance U.S. and allied national and economic security interests while advocating for environmental, social, and governance standards consistent with U.S. law or congressional agreements.

This section authorizes the President to accept the terms of reference of and maintain U.S. membership in the International Nickel Study Group (INSG), an intergovernmental body that collects and publishes data on global nickel supply, demand, and trade. It further permits U.S. assessed contributions to the INSG for FY2025 and each fiscal year thereafter to be paid from funds appropriated for Contributions to International Organizations.