Meteorites may be the only practical way to study Mercury’s surface directly.

Inside every smartphone and laptop are tiny specks of valuable materials, many of which are still lost even when you take your old electronics to a recycling center.

Rare earth elements are tiny yet essential parts of many of the technologies you use every day. New techniques are making their recovery from US sources increasingly viable.

The deal gives the US access to reserves of minerals used in key technologies such as batteries and electric vehicles.

The democratic process of scientific study, public debate and comment helps regulators arrive at a rule that balances the needs and interests of workers, companies and the public.

A planned mining method to gather critical minerals from the seafloor would create sediment plumes higher up in the water column where many creatures live.

Critical minerals are in demand around the world for military, technology and other uses. A geoscientist shares what’s known about Ukraine’s reserves, which could help the country recover from war.

Critical minerals are in demand around the world for military, technology and other uses. A geoscientist shares what’s known about Ukraine’s reserves, which could help the country recover from war.

The US has many of the same minerals Ukraine does – but prefers to import them.

If Trump turns towards oil and gas, it could affect the minerals needed for the clean energy transition.