Noel Schulz

Typically, the designation of “critical mineral” is determined by the mineral’s economic or national security value and supply-chain vulnerability. Adobe Stock Richland, Wash. Did you know the average electric vehicle uses six times more mineral inputs than a conventional car? Or that the tiny chips inside your smartphone depend on dozens of elements – from cobalt to gallium to tantalum – that don’t exactly come up in everyday conversation?

Typically, the designation of “critical mineral” is determined by the mineral’s economic or national security value and supply-chain vulnerability. (Adobe Stock) Did you know the average electric vehicle uses six times more mineral inputs than a conventional car? Or that the tiny chips inside your smartphone depend on dozens of elements – from cobalt to gallium to tantalum – that don’t exactly come up in everyday conversation?