Warday

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE REPORT D-8072

SUMMARY REPORT OF CRITICAL MINERALS NEEDS, 1991–1995

TASK FORCE ON CRITICAL MATERIALS

MARCH 31, 1991

There is at present a severe shortage of materials, especially minerals, necessary for reestablishing the defense capability of the United States. While many factors impact recovery, including the necessary commitment of resources by the government, no progress can be made in the production of many microelectronic components of aircraft and weapons systems without necessary supplies of certain critical minerals. Prewar stockpiles have been nearly exhausted and imports are at present minimal because of present conditions in the world trade system and breakdown of prewar alliances.

This task force has identified eleven minerals, or mineral groups, that are crucial to defense needs and are unavailable in any quantity in this country.

Table One outlines these materials and the location of major reserves outside the United States. It should be pointed out that while reserves of these critical materials may exist, they may not be available to our industries. Recent political and economic postures put forth by the NATO countries, for example, suggest that internal restrictions may have been put on certain strategic materials. While it is not the purpose of this report to examine the rationale of these restrictions, they will no doubt further impede U.S. defense recovery.

TABLE ONE

PRINCIPAL SUPPLIERS OF CRITICAL DEFENSE MATERIALS

MINERAL	COUNTRIES WITH MAJOR RESERVES AND PERCENT OF WORLD TOTAL
BAUXITE	Guinea 28%
	Australia 20%
	Brazil 11%
	Jamaica 9%
	Cameroon 4%
CHROMITE (Chromium Ore)	South Africa 68%
	Zimbabwe 30%
COBALT	Zaire 49%
	Zambia 15%
	USSR 9%
	Cuba 8%
	Philippines 8%
	New Caledonia 4%
	Australia 2%
COLUMBIUM	Brazil 79%
	USSR 17%
	Canada 3%
MANGANESE	USSR 45%
	South Africa 41%
	Australia 6%
	Gabon 3%
NICKEL	New Caledonia 25%
	Canada 15%
	USSR 14%
	Indonesia 13%
	Philippines 10%
	Australia 9%
PLATINUM GROUP	South Africa 81%
	USSR 17%
TANTALUM	Zaire 57%
	Nigeria 11%
	Thailand 7%
	USSR 7%
	Malaysia 5%
TIN	Indonesia 16%
	China 15%
	Malaysia 12%
	Thailand 12%
	USSR 10%
	Bolivia 9%
TITANIUM ORES	-
a. ILMENITE	India 23%
	Canada 22%
	Norway 18%
	South Africa 15%
	Australia 8%
	United States 8%
b. RUTILE	Brazil 74%
	Australia 7%
	India 6%
	South Africa 4%
	Italy 2%
TUNGSTEN	China 52%
	Canada 20%
	USSR 8%
	United States 5%
	North Korea 5%
	South Africa 3%

The minerals listed above, for all of which the U.S. is highly dependent on imports, are classified as vital to defense production and have limited convenient substitution possibilities in their major applications. The implications of worldwide reserves are as much political as economic. Only some of the nations identified are at present friendly with the United States. Other nations are themselves crippled as a result of the world economy and are experiencing difficulty in reestablishing prewar mining levels. Still others, including those under Allied spheres of influence, are perhaps being subjected to diplomatic pressures that make open exchange with the U.S. difficult.

It is recommended that this information be shared as soon as possible with the Executive Branch and with appropriate units within the Departments of State and Commerce.