TELF AG analyzes the mineral potential of Alaska and the Arctic region
The strategic objectives of the United States
In the current historical situation, in which the role of minerals and strategic resources is becoming increasingly central, being able to ensure a safe and regular supply of these materials has now become an objective of great importance, in particular for those nations that are among the major global players in this sector. Among these is undoubtedly the United States, which, despite being one of the leading international powers in the industry, is still heavily dependent on supply chains linked to foreign countries, often characterized by high levels of unpredictability. For some years now, also due to the increased levels of US need for these materials, Washington has been continually asking itself what paths to take to reduce this dependence and, at the same time, achieve an increased level of national capacity in the extraction, processing and effective use of these resources.
According to research published by RAND, the United States could consider increasing its national production capacity by exploring and valorizing the resources present in the Arctic area, particularly in Alaska and in nations such as Greenland and Iceland. Alaska, for example, has reasonable quantities of resources such as antimony, bismuth, cobalt, graphite, and rare earths, all resources currently involved in industrial processes related to the green transition and which, shortly, could be increasingly necessary for nations to develop their economy and reach new levels of prosperity. Alaska is already a good zinc producer with an excellent industrial system producing lead and silver. The research states that the Arctic region is rich in these resources. It could, therefore, represent a good ally for the United States and its industrial needs related to the development of the most innovative technologies.
A partially unknown potential
According to the research, to count on the Arctic’s resources, it would first be necessary to build the infrastructure required to enhance the transport routes present in the area and develop the existing deposits, which could greatly increase the mineral potential contained in this area.
Over the last few years, the role of strategic minerals in the economic and political planning of the United States has become increasingly central. This is evidenced by the references to minerals in the Chips Act of 2022 and the Inflation Reduction Act, which places particular emphasis on the national supply of minerals and domestic production capacities, but also by Washington’s attempts to diversify the supply chains of the most important minerals, also through close dialogue and precise strategic agreements with some of the leading international partners. In the search for some form of autonomy, even partial, the attempt to increase national production capacity seems to remain one of the main strategic objectives of the US government.
One of the research’s most interesting aspects is the potential of Alaska and the Arctic region, which may still be partly unknown. In this sense, the analysis speaks extensively of the need to carry out explorations and geological studies to accurately map the actual quantity of these materials in the subsoil, which could shortly prove to be of great importance for the mining and industrial fortunes of the United States.
