From Mines to Missiles: Rebuilding the West’s Critical Minerals Supply Chain

In this episode, host Sam talks with Tomasz Nadrowski, a New York-based portfolio manager and the author of Mineral War: China's Quest for Weapons of Mineral Destruction. Nadrowski explains how the West allowed China to monopolize the mining, processing, and refining of minerals essential for everything from smartphones and semiconductors to missiles and defense systems, and why simply digging more rock in the U.S. isn’t enough. They discuss the loss of metallurgical and engineering expertise, the slow pace of permitting reform, the difficulty of rebuilding smelting capacity, the difference between competition and true geopolitical conflict, and why allies such as Canada, Australia, Japan, and Taiwan will be crucial to any recovery. Listeners also hear practical insights into the roles of geologists, metallurgists, and engineers, plus Nadrowski’s optimistic take on attracting a new generation into the industry. - Find Tomasz’s book here: Amazon.com: Mineral War: China’s Quest for Weapons of Mineral Destruction eBook : Nadrowski, Tomasz: Kindle Store - Find the Amvest Terraden website here: https://www.amvestterraden.com/media - To find all my deals, visit: https://mydeals.page/7fu7 - Want to be a guest on Shades of Jade Podcast? Send Samantha Jade Wooldrik a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/shadesofjadepod - Music: Mozart Horn Concerto No. 4, K. 495 – III. Rondo: Allegro vivace, performed by Dennis Brain (public domain recording from Archive.org)