New framework closely mirrors policy recommendations from SAFE’s research reports and strategic dialogues
Alberta, CA—The G7 nations have advanced a new Critical Minerals Action Plan that includes numerous topline recommendations from SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy’s research and strategic dialogues, including the MINVEST partnership with the U.S. Department of State.
“Critical mineral security has never been higher in the public consciousness. The G7 statement reflects how advanced democracies are sprinting to secure high standard mineral supplies for their defense and advanced technology sectors,” said Abigail Hunter, Executive Director of the SAFE Center for Critical Minerals Strategy. “While the Minerals Center has not been alone in supporting these recommendations, we have been early, clear, and consistent in calls for the United States and our allies to confront the unlevel playing field that has harmed responsible mineral producers—requiring minimum standards and intentional investments from development finance and export credit agencies to loosen China’s grip in mineral producing countries. We’re proud to watch ideas become action—although much more work remains to codify these principles into regulatory action, this is great progress.”
SAFE recommendations reflected in the action plan include:
- Efforts to ensure minerals markets “reflect the real costs of responsible extraction, processing, and trade of critical minerals, while ensuring labour standards, local consultation, anti-bribery and corruption measures and addressing negative externalities, including pollution and land degradation.”
- Developing a “roadmap [that] will establish a set of criteria that constitute a minimum threshold for standards-based markets, strengthening traceability as a necessary measure.”
- Collaboration to “increase investment in responsible critical minerals projects within the G7 and around the world.”
- Encouraging “export credit agencies and development finance institutions (DFIs) to identify more opportunities for collaboration.”
- For interested G7 members to “also support initiatives such as the Minerals Security Partnership and its MSP Forum, and the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development.”
- “Fill targeted innovation gaps in critical minerals research and development, with a focus on processing, licensing, recycling, substitution and redesign, and circular economy.”
Relevant SAFE Reports and Press Releases:
- A Global Race to the Top, Report, 2023
- Resources for Resources, Report, 2025
- SAFE’s Abigail Hunter Testifies on Comprehensive Trade Approach for Critical Mineral Supply Security
- SAFE, State Department Announce Partnership to Promote Investment in Critical Minerals Supply Chains
- Appian Capital and SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy Launch Strategic Partnership
- SAFE’s Abigail Hunter Testifies Before Congress on Urgent Need to Secure America’s Mineral Processing Capacity
###
SAFE is an action-oriented, nonpartisan organization committed to transportation, energy, and supply chain policies that advance the economic and national security of the United States, its partners, and allies. Since 2004, SAFE has worked with its Energy Security Leadership Council—a peerless coalition of current and former Fortune 500 CEOs and retired 4-star admirals and generals—to support secure, resilient, and responsible energy solutions. Learn more at SecureEnergy.org.
