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U.S. Geological Survey releases updated critical minerals list

The U.S. Geological Survey has released a new list of critical minerals.

The agency updates the list periodically to reflect changing demand, infrastructure, production and supply.

During the Trump administration, uranium was added. It was taken off last year.

The latest list removes helium and potash. It adds nickel, which is used in batteries, and zinc, used to produce galvanized steel.

The minerals are listed alphabetically, and although some have narrow applications, such as aerospace, defense and semiconductors, aluminum is at the top.

Ron Dungan was a senior field correspondent at KJZZ from 2020 to 2024.