# DOE Prioritizes Critical Minerals Supply Chains

On October 2, 2026, DOE Assistant Secretary Audrey Robertson described rebuilding U.S. critical-minerals supply chains as a federal priority, citing investment in mining, processing technology, existing feedstocks, and workforce development. DOE announced no active solicitation, contract award, funding amount, or procurement contact, so this is a signal of potential future activity rather than a current bidding opportunity.

- Mining, processing technology, feedstock, and workforce-development firms and research organizations can assess how their capabilities align with the areas DOE identified.
- With no specific procurement vehicle or funding opportunity announced, organizations can use DOE funding announcements and partnership opportunities as the source of concrete next steps.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 02, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

### Sources
- [Controlling supply chain key to US future: DOE - MINING.COM](https://www.mining.com/controlling-supply-chain-key-to-us-future-doe) - Mining.com