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https://www.mining-journal.com/base-metals/news/1428443/us-senators-urge-action-on-critical-minerals
[US} Senators called on Biden to invoke the Defense Production Act in order "to rebuild the capacity of key sectors and value-chains by domestically producing and processing critical minerals, such as battery metals like lithium and graphite." "Allowing our foreign mineral dependence to persist is a growing threat to U.S. national security, and we need to take every step to address it," a letter sent by the Senators to Biden says."The time is now to grow, support, and encourage investment in the domestic production of graphite, manganese, cobalt, lithium, nickel, and other critical minerals to ensure we support our national security, and to fulfil our need for lithium-ion batteries - both for consumers and for the Department of Defense," it stated.

Later the article says:
"US import-reliance on graphite and manganese, essential to the lithium-ion batteries required for commercial technology sectors like electric vehicles and energy storage systems, is also a hindrance for major weapons platforms and defense capabilities, from UAVs and space defense systems to our warfighters in the field," the Senators said.

Lastly it stated:
It urged the US to work with allies and partners to diversify minerals supply chains away from "adversarial nations and sources with unacceptable environmental and labor standards."