The US Geological Survey’s annual report, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, provides a comprehensive overview of global and US mineral production, trade, and supply chains for more than 90 nonfuel minerals.
Key findings include:
• Growth in U.S. Mineral Output: The estimated total value of US nonfuel mineral production rose to about $112 billion in 2025, up roughly 5.6% from 2024, largely due to higher prices for precious metals such as gold and silver.
• Economic Importance of Minerals: Mineral‑dependent industries contributed over $4 trillion to the US economy in 2025, underpinning sectors such as aerospace, construction, electronics, and advanced manufacturing.
• Mixed Price and Production Trends: Globally, prices for specialty metals like bismuth, antimony, and germanium surged, while others such as lithium, manganese, and nickel declined. Within the US, production volumes for cobalt and nickel increased significantly, though lithium’s value fell due to lower prices.
• Critical Minerals and Supply Risks: The report highlights ongoing reliance on imports for many critical minerals, with continued net import reliance for a range of commodities. China remains a dominant source for several major inputs, underscoring persistent supply‑chain vulnerabilities.
• Industry Developments: 2025 saw notable shifts such as renewed domestic antimony mining and expansion of solar-panel-related cadmium‑telluride production capacity, as well as investments and restructuring in iron and steel production.
It notes that the value of US mineral production reached about $112 billion in 2025, driven largely by higher precious metals prices, while mineral-related industries contributed over $4 trillion to the US economy. The report also highlights continued US reliance on foreign imports for many critical minerals, with some sourced entirely from abroad.
Import Sources* (2021–24) of Critical Minerals for Which the United States Was Greater Than 50%
Net Import Reliant in 2025
Overall, the 2026 USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries underscores the continuing strategic importance of mineral resources to the US economy and national security, while illuminating economic trends, supply dependencies, and production changes that shape both domestic and global mineral markets.
