Supply Chain Transparency
Understanding How the Future Energy System Will Impact the Global Supply Chain and Associated Effects on Markets, Communities and the Environment
Understanding How the Future Energy System Will Impact the Global Supply Chain and Associated Effects on Markets, Communities and the Environment
The global supply chain continues to grow at an incredible rate, but within that growth, a lack of transparency undermines many industries and consumers as they struggle to understand the effects of the supply chain on the markets, communities and the environment.
Payne Supply Chain Transparency works with the Critical Materials Institute, the U.S. government, and policy other stakeholders to better understand the challenges and opportunities related to growing critical mineral demand.
Low-carbon scenarios often have—implicitly or explicitly—high and diverse material needs, depending on what assumptions are made about the nature of future energy systems. As certain technologies become more prominent, it becomes easier to identify what materials will be needed in the near term.
It is important to acknowledge the inherent tensions that exist between building a sustainable future and not managing or understanding the sources and materials with which it is built.
For more information about the Supply Chain Transparency Initiative at the Payne Institute for Public Policy, please contact our Deputy Director, Gregory Clough, at gclough@mines.edu.
NEWS
The risks of the strategic petroleum reserve’s four-decade low 10/2/2026
The risks of the strategic petroleum reserve’s four-decade low
Payne Institute Fellow Jamie Webster and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) levels have reached historic lows, triggering serious concerns about the reserve’s ability to continue to function. October 2, 2026.
Fragile Supply Chains Threaten U.S. Submarine Production 10/1/2026
Fragile Supply Chains Threaten U.S. Submarine Production
Payne Institute Senior Research Fellow Lieutenant Colonel Jahara Matisek, Macdonald Amoah, and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how submarine production falters when a fragile industrial base cannot deliver the specialized castings, forgings, ceramics, magnetics, steels, and acoustic coatings that nuclear safety and acoustic stealth demand. October 1, 2026.
The Most Vulnerable Mineral in America’s Arsenal Costs Three Dollars a Kilogram 9/29/2026
The Most Vulnerable Mineral in America’s Arsenal Costs Three Dollars a Kilogram
Payne Institute Fellows Alex Gilbert and Matt Isler, and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how the U.S. Geological Survey published the results of a stress test on the American industrial base, and at the top sat samarium, a rare earth element. September 29, 2026.
Global Inventory of Advanced Rare Earth Element Assets 9/29/2026
Global Inventory of Advanced Rare Earth Element Assets
Payne Institute Fellow Andrew Gulley and Graham Lederer write about how the status of rare earth assets around the globe is changing rapidly. The Global Inventory, date-stamped April 2026, summarizes: operational rare earth element (REE) assets, mine projects with reported resources or reserves, mine projects that have received significant U.S. government funding, and advanced facilities for processing, cracking, separation, smelting, metallization, alloying, and magnet production. September 29, 2026.
Payne Institute’s State of Critical Minerals report lays out steps to secure U.S. and Allied supply chains 9/24/2026
Payne Institute’s State of Critical Minerals report lays out steps to secure U.S. and Allied supply chains
The Payne Institute for Public Policy at Colorado School of Mines’ new report, The State of Critical Minerals Report 2026, highlights the fundamental and growing role of U.S and allied governments in ensuring success on critical minerals security. September 24, 2026.
THE STATE OF CRITICAL MINERALS REPORT 2026 9/24/2026
The State of Critical Minerals Report 2026
The Payne Institute for Public Policy has released its fourth annual State of Critical Minerals Report. These reports, which accompany our annual symposium, seek to provide insights into the complex and deeply interconnected topics surrounding critical minerals. September 24, 2026.
From magnets to high-tech steel and nuclear fuel recycling, Mines researchers drive innovation in how we use critical minerals 9/24/2026
From magnets to high-tech steel and nuclear fuel recycling, Mines researchers drive innovation in how we use critical minerals
Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Jenifer Shafer is featured in this article about how critical minerals are ultimately deemed critical for one reason: They’re essential to the fabrication and manufacturing of important products. September 24, 2026.
Is “Dr. Copper” becoming less reliable? 9/21/2026
Is “Dr. Copper” becoming less reliable?
Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Ian Lange contributed to this article about how the price of copper usually tells us a lot about the future of global economic growth. But recent developments could make it less accurate as an economic indicator. September 21, 2026.
The Iran war has disrupted oil markets. The fallout goes beyond that. 9/18/2026
The Iran war has disrupted oil markets. The fallout goes beyond that.
Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian writes about how the Iran war has caused a commodities crisis running several markets deep. September 18, 2026.
US-Canada Cooperation on Critical Minerals Is at a Crossroads 9/15/2026
US-Canada Cooperation on Critical Minerals Is at a Crossroads
Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian and Senior Research Fellow Robert Johnston write about how escalating US-Canada trade tensions threaten a deeply integrated critical minerals supply chain that neither country can easily replace. September 15, 2026.
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