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
A path to US Tribal energy sovereignty 1/23/2025
A path to US Tribal energy sovereignty
The Payne Institute Native American Mining and Energy Sovereignty (NAMES) Initiative and co-writers look at Native American Tribal lands that are extraordinarily rich with energy and mineral resources. A rapidly changing energy system, increasing energy demand, and energy-related national security imperatives present Tribes with a generational economic opportunity. January 23, 2025.
Sibanye Stillwater’s lessons about US mining sufficiency 1/22/2025
Sibanye Stillwater’s lessons about US mining sufficiency
Payne Institute Student Researcher Annie Welch, Critical Minerals Program Manager Clarkson Kamurai, and Energy Finance Lab Director Brad Handler write about how the economic challenges for Sibanye Stillwater’s U.S. Platinum/Palladium mining operations. The analysis offers an illustration of the limitation of recent Inflation Reduction Act tax incentives (45X). January 22, 2025.
Mines professor assessing role of metals markets in energy transition 1/21/2025
Mines professor assessing role of metals markets in energy transition
Payne Institute Faculty Fellows Ian Lange and Nicole Smith help lead the federal subcommittee to examine role of critical metals in transitional energy sources. Lange sits on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Environment and Energy Markets Advisory Committee to define thecritical minerals issues and help them understand where they might want to make suggestions or change things from a policy perspective. January 21, 2024.
Leveraging the Defense Production Act to Stockpile Minerals 12/19/2024
Leveraging the Defense Production Act to Stockpile Minerals
Payne Institute Communications Associate Gregory Wischer, Director Morgan Bazilian, and Fellow Jahara Matisek write about how on December 3, 2024, China imposed export bans on antimony, gallium, and germanium—three elements with important defense applications. Since the U.S. relies heavily on China for these minerals, China’s new export ban could delay the manufacture of defense platforms and munitions, exacerbating already depleted defense stocks and further undermining America’s warfighting capabilities. December 19, 2024.
The American industry that wants more government intervention 12/18/2024
The American industry that wants more government intervention
Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Elizabeth Holley contributed to this article about how President-elect Donald Trump is promising to slash government regulations and even eliminate whole agencies. But one American industry, mining, is asking for more government intervention, saying national economic and military security are at stake. December 18, 2024.
The U.S. Must Fortify Itself Against Future Mineral Export Bans 12/16/2024
The U.S. Must Fortify Itself Against Future Mineral Export Bans
Payne Institute Communications Associate Gregory Wischer, Director Morgan Bazilian, and Fellow Lt. Col. Jahara “Franky” Matisek write about how last week, China imposed export bans on antimony, gallium, and germanium—all of which are listed on China’s dual-use export control list. Other minerals on the list and, thus, at risk of future bans include aluminum, magnesium, and zinc, among others. With many minerals, the U.S. government can increase domestic mining, processing, and recycling to help mitigate future supply cutoffs from China. Of course, building and expanding domestic capacity will take time, significant capital, and appropriate government policies, but it can be done. December 16, 2024.
Critical Minerals Analytical Tools Launched by Payne Institute for Public Policy at Colorado School of Mines 12/9/2024
Critical Minerals Analytical Tools Launched by Payne Institute for Public Policy at Colorado School of Mines
The Payne Institute for Public Policy created a series of user-friendly critical minerals analytical tools. The tools, being developed in cooperation with the Mineral and Energy Economics program at Mines, offer detailed information about the availability, cost, and demand for minerals integral to global efforts to transition to low carbon energy and transport systems. December 9, 2024.
China’s Mineral Export Ban Strikes at the US Defense Industrial Base 12/6/2024
China’s Mineral Export Ban Strikes at the US Defense Industrial Base
Payne Institute Communications Associate Gregory Wischer, Director Morgan Bazilian, and Fellow Jahara “Franky” Matisek write about how the U.S. defense industry could experience short-term mineral shortages and higher prices – not to mention the impact on the U.S. economy more broadly. December 6, 2024.
Mines researchers prioritize responsibility with carbon capture and storage 12/3/2024
Mines researchers prioritize responsibility with carbon capture and storage
Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Jessica Smith is part of a team of Mines researchers are working in partnership with local stakeholders to curb these emissions in southern Colorado—and provide a model for similar efforts across the nation as states aim to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals and work toward a net-zero carbon future. December 3, 2024.
Lights Dim at Giant Russian LNG Construction Facility as Energy Sanctions Bite 11/21/2024
Lights Dim at Giant Russian LNG Construction Facility as Energy Sanctions Bite
Payne Institute Earth Observation Group Mikhail Zhizhin contributes to this article about how activity appears to have slumped at Russia’s only construction yard for liquefied natural gas modules, another sign of how Western sanctions are thwarting the country’s ambition to become a top player in this key energy market. November 21, 2024.
Read All News