Senator Marco Rubio warns U.S. Congress about critical minerals dependency on China
Secretary of State Marco Rubio just issued a grave warning for America:
“If we stay on the road we are on right now – in less than 10 years, virtually everything that matters to us in life will depend on whether China allows us to have it or not.”
“Everything from blood pressure medicine to what movies we get to watch, and everything in between. They dominate the critical mineral industry. Even those who want more EVs – those batteries depend on China.”
“If we don’t change course – we will live in a world where much of what matters on a daily basis, from our security to our health – will be dependent on whether the Chinese allow us to have it or not.”
About Us
U.S. Critical Materials Corp.
U.S. Critical Materials Corp. is a privately held rare earth exploration and development company with strategic holdings in Montana and Idaho. The company’s flagship Sheep Creek deposit in Montana is distinguished by its exceptionally high-grade rare earth elements, low thorium content, extensive surface carbonatites, and confirmed mineralization at depth.
With TREO grades of nearly 9% (89,932 ppm) and 2.4% (23,810 ppm) combined neodymium and praseodymium, the Sheep Creek deposit significantly surpasses any other domestic resource. The 800-acre target area contains over 60 carbonatites formations.
The critical minerals are essential for the green economy, defense technologies, and advanced manufacturing, further underscoring the strategic importance of this find.
Idaho National Laboratory-Processing
U.S. Critical Materials is committed to environmentally responsible extraction and processing methods. Through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), the company is advancing sustainable separation and processing technologies for carbonatite ore, ensuring minimal environmental impact while maximizing resource efficiency.
On February 1, 2025, US Critical Materials extended its CRADA with INL for an additional two years to further develop innovative rare earth and gallium separation and processing technologies. INL will also continue to verify the grades and values of the rare earth elements, gallium, and other critical minerals at Sheep Creek, reinforcing USCM’s goal of responsible and secure domestic mineral development.
Actual Below Ground Rare Earth Samples From Sheep Creek
Gallium
Moreover, Sheep Creek is the nation’s only economically viable domestic source of gallium, with an average grade of 300 ppm—significantly higher than the 50 ppm typically found in Chinese production. This uniquely rich deposit strengthens the U.S. supply chain for critical minerals, reducing reliance on foreign sources.
“We have confirmed that Sheep Creek is the highest-grade rare earth deposit in the United States, with a multibillion-dollar resource value,” stated Jim Hedrick, President of U.S. Critical Materials and former Rare Earth Commodity Specialist at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Ukraine and Greenland Rare Earths
Recently there has been much publicity regarding The United States coveting Ukraine and Greenland’s rare earths and critical minerals. The Sheep Creek rare earths and critical mineral grades surpass most found in Greenland and Ukraine. They are also more scientifically and accurately verified .
US Critical Materials is dedicated to securing a domestic, high-grade supply of rare earth elements and gallium, reducing U.S. reliance on foreign imports, and ensuring a stable, independent supply chain for national security and technological innovation.
Idaho National Laboratory
Changing the world’s energy future and securing our nation’s critical infrastructure
The increased need for rare earth elements makes finding effective, efficient, and environmentally safe methods for mining and recycling them even more vital.
More on the agreement to develop new rare earth processing methods: https://lnkd.in/du9j5tNW
Sheep Creek, Montana
Mr. James Hedrick, President of US Critical Materials, stated:
We have confirmed that Sheep Creek is the highest-grade rare-earth deposit in the United States, with a multibillion-dollar resource value. Over the course of my career independently evaluating rare earth properties within the US, I have never encountered a property with the grades being generated by Sheep Creek ...
- Sheep Creek has "the highest grades of rare earth minerals in the U.S.
- Add context to strengthen the claim. Benchmark Sheep Creek against other U.S. or global projects (e.g., MP Materials).
- Include comparisons on TREO grades, gallium potential, and low thorium content.
Gallium Production Comparison Table: C.S. Critical Materials (Sheep Creek) vs. Alternatives
| Criteria |
U.S. Critical Materials (Sheep Creek) |
China |
Alternative 1 (Canada) |
Alternative 2 (Japan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Purity Level (% purity) |
99.9999 (6N potential) |
99.99 (4N) - 99.999 (5N) | 99.999 (5N) | 99.9999 (6N) |
|
Production Cost ($/kg) |
$400 (estimated) |
$250 | $450 | $500 |
| Geopolitical Risk |
Low (stable U.S. democracy) |
High (export controls) |
Low (stable democracy) |
Low (stable democracy) |
|
Market Price ($/kg) |
$600 (premium for security) |
$300 (domestic), $450 (export) |
$550 | $650 |
| Environmental Compliance |
High (low thorium, strict U.S. regs) |
Moderate (less stringent) |
High (strict regulations) |
High (strict regulations) |
| Project / Company | Location | TREO Grades (%) | Gallium Potential | Thorium Content | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheep Creek |
U.S. (Location) |
High | Significant | Low | Benchmarking value |
| MP Materials |
U.S. (California) |
Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Leading U.S. Producer |
| Arafura Resources | Australia | High | Moderate | Low | Major Australian player |
| USA Rare Earth |
U.S. (Texas) |
High | Moderate | Low | U.S.-based with growth potential |
| Energy Fuels |
U.S. (Wyoming) |
Moderate | Low | Moderate | Uranium-focused with diversification |
| Lynas Corporation | Australia | High | Low | Low | Global Leader in rare earths |
CONCLUSION
“Carbonatites at Sheep Creek are valuable for their light rare earth content including neodymium and praseodymium, and also contain significant amounts of niobium, strontium, and gallium.
Geology and geophysics indicate that the carbonatites extend down considerably and there is strong evidence that they connect at depth.”
Precision Geosurveys Geophysical Report
October 3rd 2023
Press Release
FEB 1st, 2023: PRESS RELEASE
US Critical Materials Announces The Highest-Grade Rare-Earth Deposit In The United States
The discovery in Montana is a billion-dollar “game-changer” providing a domestic source of rare earths to counter current US dependence on China.
SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — US Critical Materials Corp. is pleased to announce the highest reported total rare-earth oxide grades (TREO) of any rare earth deposit in the United States. The levels have been confirmed by analyses from Activation Labs, a well-known and highly respected independent analytical laboratory in Ancaster, Canada.
Project
Sheep Creek
Milestones
The Highest Grade Rare-Earth Deposit
Strategies for Growth
2025 Growth
National Security
National Security
US Critical Materials
Geoffrey Williams
James Hedrick
Harvey Kaye
Edward Cowle
Deworth Williams
Peter Gennuso
Ms. Rachel Winn
Markets & Investments
Investment Opportunities
There is a global rush to secure critical minerals, many of which are vital for consumers, industry, and military applications. The demand for these metals will accelerate sharply in the coming years as the world continues its transition to electric vehicles and more renewable energy sources. Critical minerals are important for electronics such as semiconductors, batteries, magnets, and electric vehicle motors. Unprecedented amounts of capital are entering the critical minerals sector, with many believing the world is entering a “super cycle.”
01
Offtake Contracts
The Company is confident that it will be able to execute forward offtake contracts based on the imbalance in the marketplace, and activity of competitors.
02
End User Investments
Due to the shortage of critical minerals, end users are investing at the beginning of the supply chain so they will not be shut out.
01
Capital Markets Funding
Based on the unprecedented demand, and limited supply of critical minerals, the Company is currently exploring many options regarding funding.
02
Offtake Contracts
The Company is confident that it will be able to execute forward offtake contracts based on the imbalance in the marketplace, and activity of competitors.
03
End User Investments
Due to the shortage of critical minerals, end users are investing at the beginning of the supply chain so they will not be shut out.
Significant Mineralization found At Depth
One characteristic that sets Sheep Creek apart from most other rare earths projects in the U.S. is the fact that significant mineralization has been accessed and sampled underground via pre-existing mine workings.
US Critical Materials has recently confirmed mineralization at depth below high-grade surface samples of 17.05% TREO and 16.44% TREO. Based on the presence of mineralization at depth, the technical team intends to focus exploration efforts on these promising zones.
Quotes from our Directors
Extracts from Media
US Critical Materials
US Critical Materials strategy for growth includes development of our current properties, the continuing acquisition of new critical mineral properties within the U.S., creation of proprietary processing methods, commencement of a public relations campaign, the implementation of a government outreach program.
US Critical Materials
News
Missiles to MRIs need metal’s highest-grade US deposit
US Critical Materials reports highest-grade neodymium deposit in the US