Periodic Table of 2025 Critical Minerals: Full Color

Periodic Table of Critical Minerals: Full Color Version

Wait. Aren’t these elements?
The Energy Act of 2020 describes “critical minerals” as minerals, elements, substances, or materials that (1) are essential to the economic or national security of the United States, (2) have supply chains at risk of disruption, and (3) are vital for making a product without which the United States would suffer^[1].

Elements in RED are listed as critical minerals in the 2025 USGS critical mineral list^[2]. Graphite (C), barite (BaSO₄), metallurgical coal, phosphate rock, potash, and fluorspar (CaF₂) are also listed as critical minerals in the 2025 USGS critical mineral list^[2].

This periodic table is associated with the educational activity Periodic Table of Critical Minerals & Their Uses Activity | U.S. Geological Survey.

References:

[1] Nassar, N.T., Pineault, D., Allen, S.M., McCaffrey, D.M., Padilla, A.J., Brainard, J.L., Bayani, M., Shojaeddini, E., Ryter, J.W., Lincoln, S., and Alonso, E., 2025, Methodology and technical input for the 2025 U.S. List of Critical Minerals—Assessing the potential effects of mineral commodity supply chain disruptions on the U.S. economy: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2025–1047, 32 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20251047.
[2] https://www.usgs.gov/programs/mineral-resources-program/science/about-2025-list-critical-minerals