STRATA Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill creates a new Critical Minerals Innovation Partnership Program inside the State Department to work with allied countries on mining, processing, and recycling technologies for materials used in phones, electric vehicles, and weapons systems.
• The program cannot partner with China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, or Burma, or with companies substantially controlled by those governments, aiming to cut U.S. dependence on rival nations for these materials.
• The bill sets up international research hubs called Centers of Excellence to develop cleaner mining methods and stronger labor and environmental standards with partner countries.
• A new public website will let American companies, including small and startup firms, find and apply for opportunities to join these international mineral technology projects.
• The program and its authorities automatically end 10 years after the law is enacted, though existing agreements can keep running and using already-committed funds.