Congressman Nick Begich Highlights Need to Secure America’s Critical Mineral Supply Chain

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Dec. 3, 2025 - Today, Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) participated in a Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing examining the critical need to secure America's mineral supply chains.

"There is a broad recognition among the public and a growing recognition among the public that the United States needs a domestic supply for critical minerals. That is something many folks on both sides of the aisle recognize as important," said Congressman Begich. "In Alaska, we have one the most responsible track records you'll find anywhere in the world when it comes to resource development."

Watch Rep. Begich's line of questioning here.

BACKGROUND:

Critical minerals underpin virtually every sector of the modern economy. Global demand for energy-related critical minerals-including lithium, nickel, copper, cobalt, and graphite have skyrocketed in the past two decades.

Despite abundant domestic resources, the United States remains heavily dependent on foreign suppliers. Lengthy permitting timelines, restrictive federal policies, and regulatory uncertainty have caused domestic mining projects to languish.

Alaska is uniquely positioned to anchor America's critical mineral future. Home to some of the largest undeveloped mineral resources in the world, the state contains significant deposits of graphite, rare earth elements, cobalt, copper, zinc, gold, and lead. Projects such as the Graphite Creek deposit-the largest known graphite resource in the United States-and promising rare earth prospects across the state showcase Alaska's unmatched potential to support U.S. supply chain security.

Alaska's vast land base, strong mining heritage, and highly skilled workforce provide a foundation for responsible development. The state has some of the highest environmental standards in the world and a proven track record of successful, sustainable resource production. With strategic infrastructure investments, Alaska can rapidly expand domestic production and serve as a reliable supplier for the nation's most essential industries.

Congressional Republicans continue to advance policies that reverse restrictive regulations, modernize permitting, bolster U.S. processing capacity, and strengthen domestic supply chains.

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