5E: A clean, secure energy transition needs Utah’s critical minerals

Utah is uniquely positioned to play an outsized role in supplying critical minerals for the United States’ ongoing clean energy transition. Last year, Utah’s non-fuel mineral production was valued at over $3.6 billion, up 16% from 2020^[5.E.1]. Over the coming decades, Utah will receive more attention as rising demand and renewed efforts to secure U.S. supply chains elevate the importance of the state’s critical minerals.

At least 38 of the 50 critical minerals designated by the U.S. Geological Survey are found in Utah, including many needed for renewable energy technologies. Lithium and magnesium extracted from Great Salt Lake salt brines are critical for rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles. Tellurium from the Bingham Canyon Mine is used in solar cells. Vanadium from Southeast Utah could be used for grid-scale energy storage, and thorium from the same region is used for nuclear power. Monazite deposits throughout Utah contain rare-earth elements needed for permanent magnets in wind turbines. By 2040, global demand for critical minerals used in clean energy technologies is projected to quadruple^[5.E.2]. Managing growing demand will require careful planning to ensure high industry standards, address market fluctuations, and balance sustainable extraction in sensitive areas.

While demand increases, so do efforts to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign mineral sources. Utah could play a key role in securing domestic supply chains for renewable energy development. For more than a decade, Utah has been a top-ten state for non-fuel mineral production. Utah is currently one of two states with commercial lithium production and the only state producing beryllium, magnesium, and indium. Utah also produces or has produced other minerals with energy impact, including copper, zinc, antimony, molybdenum, gallium, germanium, and uranium.