Strategic minerals: A conceptual analysis

‘Strategic minerals’ is an ambiguous term. The objective of this article is to explore the major and competing usages of this essentially contested concept, with particular attention being paid to the relevant usages for both scholarly and policy-making purposes. The author examines two opposing definitional tendencies, which he labels ‘restrictionist’ and ‘broad-interpretationist’, and concludes that despite great merit in the arguments of those who would restrict the usage of the term strategic minerals, the concept itself will continue to be interpreted differently by minerals analysts.