U.S. Boosts Critical Mineral Independence with Mountain Pass Project

On June 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior endorsed the expansion of California’s Mountain Pass rare earth site, operated by MP Materials. As the nation’s only active rare earth mine, Mountain Pass is central to U.S. efforts to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals. The endorsement includes fast-tracked environmental permits and support from the new Critical Minerals Interagency Task Force. The project targets increased production of neodymium and praseodymium—vital for EVs, wind turbines, and defense tech. Expansion plans include on-site processing to strengthen domestic value chains. This move aligns with priorities under the Defense Production Act and recent congressional funding for national security and energy resilience.