Copper, potash added to Interior Department's proposed list of U.S. critical minerals

[Many copper bobbins, warehouse copper pipes.]
SimoneN/iStock via Getty Images

Copper and potash were added to the U.S. Geological Survey’s draft list of critical minerals, among a list of 54 proposed for inclusion on the 2025 List of Critical Minerals, according to a notice in the Federal Register [https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-16311.pdf?utm_campaign=pi+subscription+mailing+list&utm_medium=email&utm_source=federalregister.gov] on Monday.

The copper industry has been pushing for critical mineral status to reflect the metal’s importance to the economy and national security, hoping that inclusion on the list would help make projects eligible for federal funding and streamlined permitting for exploration, mining and processing projects.

Meanwhile, much of the potash used in the U.S. is imported from Canada, which have so far been spared from tariffs as part of an exemption for goods under a North American free trade agreement.

The U.S. Department of the Interior also will ask for public comments on whether to include uranium and metallurgical coal, which is used in the production of steel, in the final draft.

Among potentially relevant stocks, Mosaic (NYSE:MOS [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MOS]) closed +1.8% in Monday's trading, Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/FCX]) +0.9%, and Nutrien (NYSE:NTR [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/NTR]) +0.6%.

ETFs: (COPX [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/COPX]), (CPER [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/CPER]), (OTC:JJCTF [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SM])

MORE ON FREEPORT-MCMORAN, MOSAIC, AND NUTRIEN

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* Mosaic: A Strong Foundation, But Not A Buy (For Now) [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4810891-mosaic-a-strong-foundation-but-not-a-buy-for-now]
* Nutrien: Up 33% But Fundamentals Say Hold, Not Add [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4805062-nutrien-up-33-percent-but-fundamentals-say-hold-not-add]