What are critical minerals, and why do they matter in US–Pakistan ties?

Critical minerals are raw materials, such as copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and the rare earth elements, that are essential to modern technologies including batteries, electronics, electric vehicles and defence systems, and whose supply is considered at risk of disruption. Governments, including the United States, keep official lists of these minerals and have sought to diversify supply chains in which China plays a leading role, particularly in processing. Pakistan has substantial mineral resources, including large copper and gold deposits at Reko Diq in Balochistan, which has made mining investment a subject of interest in its relations with the United States and other partners.