Minerals Security Partnership authorization

(a) In general The Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, is authorized to lead United States participation in the Minerals Security Partnership, for the following purposes: (1) To identify and support investment and advocate for commercial critical mineral mining, processing, and refining projects that enable robust and secure critical mineral supply chains, in consultation with other Federal agencies, as appropriate. (2) To coordinate with relevant regional bureaus to develop regional diplomatic engagement strategies related to critical minerals projects and to identify projects that are priorities. (3) To coordinate with United States missions abroad on projects, programs, and investments that enable robust and secure critical mineral supply chains. (4) To coordinate with current and prospective members of the Minerals Security Partnership. (5) To establish a mechanism for information-sharing with members of the Minerals Security Partnership. (6) To establish policies and procedures, and if necessary, to provide funding to facilitate cooperation on joint projects with members of the Minerals Security Partnership and the Minerals Security Forum, including those related to cost-sharing agreements, political risk insurance, financing, equity investments, and other support, in coordination with other Federal agencies, as appropriate. (7) If an agreement described in section 4 is entered into, to support the establishment of the coalition described in that section. (b) Database As part of the Minerals Security Partnership, the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, is authorized to establish and maintain a database of critical mineral projects for the purpose of providing high quality and up-to-date information to the private sector and, at the discretion of the Under Secretary, to members of the Minerals Security Partnership, in order to spur greater investment, increase the resilience of global critical minerals supply chains, and boost United States supply. (c) Qualifications for personnel With respect to staffing personnel to carry out the Minerals Security Partnership, the Secretary shall prioritize individuals with the following qualifications: (1) Substantive knowledge and experience in issues related to critical minerals supply chain and their application to strategic industries, including in the defense, energy, and technology sectors. (2) Substantive knowledge and experience in large-scale multi-donor project financing and related technical and diplomatic arrangements, international coalition-building, and project management. (3) Substantive knowledge and experience in trade and foreign policy, defense industrial base policy, or national security-sensitive supply chain issues. (d) Private sector coordination The Secretary shall ensure close coordination between the Department of State, the private sector, and relevant civil society groups on the implementation of this section. (e) Project selection (1) In general The United States, through its participation in the Minerals Security Partnership, shall prioritize projects that advance the national and economic security interests of the United States and allies and partners of the United States. (2) Criteria requirements The United States should advocate for the Minerals Security Partnership to use environmental, social, or governance standards, including as criteria for project selection, that are consistent with United States law or international agreements approved by Congress.