The Critical Minerals to China, EU, and U.S. National Security
January 16, 2024

By         Graphics/Design: Zack Aboulazm

The Critical Minerals to China, EU, and U.S. Security


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Governments formulate lists of critical minerals according to their industrial requirements and strategic evaluations of supply risks.


Over the last decade, minerals like nickel, copper, and lithium have been on these lists and deemed essential for clean technologies like EV batteries and solar and wind power.


This graphic uses IRENA and the U.S. Department of Energy data to identify which minerals are essential to China, the United States, and the European Union.


What are Critical Minerals?


There is no universally accepted definition of critical minerals. Countries and regions maintain lists that mirror current technology requirements and supply and demand dynamics, among other factors.



These lists are also constantly changing. For example, the EU’s first critical minerals list in 2011 featured only 14 raw materials. In contrast, the 2023 version identified 34 raw materials as critical.


One thing countries share, however, is the concern that a lack of minerals could slow down the energy transition.


With most countries committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the total mineral demand from clean energy technologies is expected to double by 2040.


U.S. and EU Seek to Reduce Import Reliance on Critical Minerals


Ten materials feature on critical material lists of both the U.S., the EU, and China, including cobalt, lithium, graphite, and rare earths.

Mineral / Considered Critical 🇺🇸 U.S. 🇪🇺 EU 🇨🇳 China
Aluminum/ bauxite Yes Yes Yes
Antimony Yes Yes Yes
Cobalt Yes Yes Yes
Copper Yes Yes Yes
Fluorspar Yes Yes Yes
Graphite Yes Yes Yes
Lithium Yes Yes Yes
Nickel Yes Yes Yes
Rare earths Yes Yes Yes
Tungsten Yes Yes Yes
Arsenic Yes Yes No
Barite Yes Yes No
Beryllium Yes Yes No
Bismuth Yes Yes No
Germanium Yes Yes No
Hafnium Yes Yes No
Magnesium Yes Yes No
Manganese Yes Yes No
Niobium Yes Yes No
Platinum Yes Yes No
Tantalum Yes Yes No
Titanium Yes Yes No
Vanadium Yes Yes No
Tin Yes No Yes
Zirconium Yes No Yes
Phosphorus No Yes Yes
Cesium Yes No No
Chromium Yes No No
Indium Yes No No
Rubidium Yes No No
Samarium Yes No No
Tellurium Yes No No
Zinc Yes No No
Boron No Yes No
Coking Coal No Yes No
Feldspar No Yes No
Gallium No Yes No
Helium No Yes No
Phosphate Rock No Yes No
Scandium No Yes No
Silicon No Yes No
Strontium No Yes No
Gold No No Yes
Iron ore No No Yes
Molybdenum No No Yes
Potash No No Yes
Uranium No No Yes

Despite having most of the same materials found in the U.S. or China’s list, the European list is the only one to include phosphate rock. The region has limited phosphate resources (only produced in Finland) and largely depends on imports of the material essential for manufacturing fertilizers.


Coking coal is also only on the EU list. The material is used in the manufacture of pig iron and steel. Production is currently dominated by China (58%), followed by Australia (17%), Russia (7%), and the U.S. (7%).


The U.S. has also sought to reduce its reliance on imports. Today, the country is 100% import-dependent on manganese and graphite and 76% on cobalt.


After decades of sourcing materials from other countries, the U.S. local production of raw materials has become extremely limited. For instance, there is only one operating nickel mine (primary) in the country, the Eagle Mine in Michigan. Likewise, the country only hosts one lithium source in Nevada, the Silver Peak Mine.


China’s Dominance


Despite being the world’s biggest carbon polluter, China is the largest producer of most of the world’s critical minerals for the green revolution.


China produces 60% of all rare earth elements used as components in high-technology devices, including smartphones and computers. The country also has a 13% share of the lithium production market. In addition, it refines around 35% of the world’s nickel, 58% of lithium, and 70% of cobalt.


Among some of the unique materials on China’s list is gold. Although gold is used on a smaller scale in technology, China has sought gold for economic and geopolitical factors, mainly to diversify its foreign exchange reserves, which rely heavily on the U.S. dollar.


Analysts estimate China has bought a record 400 tonnes of gold in recent years.


China has also slated uranium as a critical mineral. The Chinese government has stated it intends to become self-sufficient in nuclear power plant capacity and fuel production for those plants.


According to the World Nuclear Association, China aims to produce one-third of its uranium domestically.


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VVC Exploration Corporation Provides Regulatory Update and Clarifies a Previous Incorrect Statement about CYRB

May 21, 2026
TORONTO, May 21, 2026 - VVC Exploration Corporation, dba VVC Resources (“VVC” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: VVC and OTCQB: VVCVF) is providing an update to its previous news release dated May 16, 2026, regarding the status of its annual financial filings. The Ontario Securities Commission (the "OSC") has notified the Company that its application for a Management Cease Trade Order ("MCTO") has been rejected. In delivering its decision, the OSC noted that they are not of the view that there is an active, liquid market for the issuer’s securities, based on a review of the trade volume, trade value, and number of trades over the last month. Consequently, the OSC intends to issue a Failure-to-File Cease Trade Order ("FFCTO") against the Company shortly after the regulatory deadline if the continuous disclosure documents are not submitted. The Company's audited annual financial statements, management's discussion and analysis, and related officer certifications for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026 (collectively, the "Required Filings") are due on June 1, 2026. Reason for Anticipated Delay The delay in completing VVC’s Required Filings is primarily attributable to the time required to complete the valuation and related accounting assessment of VVC’s equity investment in Cyber Apps Solutions Corp. (“CYRB”) and its operating subsidiary, Proton Green, LLC. The complexity of the valuation process and the resolution of related accounting matters delayed the commencement of VVC’s Required Filings. The Company also wishes to clarify that the references to executive management vacancies at CYRB included in the May 16, 2026 announcement were incorrect and have been retracted. Financing & Corporate Update In light of the operational adjustments required by the developments at CYRB, the Company also announces that it is actively pursuing capital-raising initiatives to protect working capital and fund ongoing operations, including its core helium and gold exploration assets. VVC is currently evaluating various financing options, which may include a proposed non-brokered private placement of securities. Any such financing remains subject to compliance with the strict terms of the proposed MCTO, which prohibits the issuance or acquisition of securities from any director, officer, or insider of VVC during the period of the default. Further details regarding the terms, pricing, and closing dates of any such financing will be announced if and when they are finalized. There can be no assurance that any financing will be completed on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all. Anticipated Completion and Impact of Order The Company and its independent third-party valuation specialist are working diligently to resolve the valuation framework with MNP LLP. VVC continues to target the completion and submission of the Required Filings on or before June 30, 2026. If an FFCTO is issued by the principal regulator, trading in the common shares of VVC will be suspended across all trading platforms in Canada, including the TSX Venture Exchange, until the Required Filings are completed and the order is formally revoked by the regulators. Insider Trading Restrictions The Company's internal insider trading blackout notice issued by the Corporate Secretary remains in full effect. All directors, officers, and insiders are strictly prohibited from trading in the Company's securities or exercising stock options until the default is fully remedied and the Required Filings are publicly available. About VVC Resources VVC engages in the exploration, development, and management of natural resources - specializing in scarce and increasingly valuable materials needed to meet the growing, high-tech demands of industries such as manufacturing, technology, medicine, space travel, and the expanding green economy. Our portfolio includes a diverse set of multi-asset, high-growth projects, comprising: Helium & industrial gas production in western U.S.; Gold & associated metals operations in northern Mexico; and Strategic investments in carbon sequestration and other green energy technologies. VVC is a Canada-based, publicly-traded company on the TSXV (TSX-V:VVC). To learn more, visit our website at: www.vvcresources.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

VVC Grants Options

April 20, 2026
TORONTO, April 20, 2026 - VVC Exploration Corporation, dba VVC Resources, (“VVC”), (TSX-V:VVC and OTCQC:VVCVF) announces the following: Option Grant The Directors granted incentive stock options under its stock option plan, to officers, directors and consultants of the Company, to purchase up to an aggregate of 14,750,000 common shares, representing 2.58% of the outstanding shares of the Company. The stock options are exercisable at a price of CA$0.05 per share expiring April 20, 2036. Twenty five percent (25%) of the options granted will vest immediately with the remaining vesting at 25% every six months. The exercise price was fixed at the minimum allowable price by the TSX Venture Exchange policies. The options, granted in accordance with the provisions of the Company's stock option plan, are subject to the TSX Venture Exchange policies and the applicable securities laws. Of the Options granted, 32.2% were to Directors, 37.3% to Officers, 18.6% to Employees and 11.9% to Consultants of the Company.  About VVC Resources VVC engages in the exploration, development, and management of natural resources - specializing in scarce and increasingly valuable materials needed to meet the growing, high-tech demands of industries such as manufacturing, technology, medicine, space travel, and the expanding green economy. Our portfolio includes a diverse set of multi-asset, high-growth projects, comprising: Helium & industrial gas production in western U.S.; Gold & associated metals operations in northern Mexico; and Strategic investments in carbon sequestration and other green energy technologies. VVC is a Canada-based, publicly-traded company on the TSXV (TSX-V:VVC). To learn more, visit our website at: www.vvcresources.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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