Critical minerals from LATAM and Africa anchor your battery supply chain.

The global energy transition hinges on a secure, diversified supply of critical minerals—lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, rare earth elements, and copper. As the United States accelerates its shift toward electric vehicles (EVs), grid-scale battery storage, and renewable energy infrastructure, demand for these inputs is projected to surge by 400–600% over the next two decades (IEA 2023). Yet the current supply chain is heavily concentrated: China refines over 60% of the world's lithium, 70% of cobalt, and 90% of rare earths.

This concentration poses strategic risks for US industries and creates a historic opportunity for resource-rich nations in Latin America and Africa to become trusted, compliant suppliers to the American market.

Latin America holds more than 60% of global lithium reserves—with Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia forming the so-called “Lithium Triangle”—and significant copper deposits in Peru, Chile, and Mexico. Africa, meanwhile, accounts for over 70% of global cobalt production (predominantly the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and is emerging as a supplier of graphite (Mozambique, Madagascar), manganese (Gabon, South Africa), and nickel (Madagascar, South Africa). Navigating the US regulatory landscape, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) requirements for “free trade agreement” partners and the Defense Production Act provisions for critical minerals, demands specialized trade advisory expertise.

Coppermont bridges this gap, connecting Latin American and African producers with US buyers and helping both sides manage compliance, logistics, and market entry.

This page is for mining executives, battery manufacturers, EV OEMs, and trade finance professionals who need to understand the opportunities and complexities of the US critical minerals market. Whether you are a Chilean lithium producer seeking a US offtake agreement, a Mozambican graphite exporter navigating US import compliance rules, or a US battery maker looking for IRA-compliant feedstocks, Coppermont provides the advisory support to make those transactions happen.

Exporting Critical Minerals and Battery Materials to the US

The US imports a significant share of its critical mineral needs: in 2022, the country imported 50% of its lithium, 80% of its cobalt, and 100% of its graphite (USGS 2023). Key products flowing from Latin America and Africa include lithium carbonate and hydroxide from Chile and Argentina; cobalt hydroxide and refined cobalt from the DRC and Zambia; nickel matte and nickel sulfate from Madagascar and Brazil; graphite concentrates from Mozambique; and copper cathodes from Chile and Peru. US buyer types include cathode and anode manufacturers, battery cell producers (e.g., Panasonic, LG Energy Solution, SK On), automakers with domestic battery plants (Tesla, Ford, GM), and specialty chemical companies like Albemarle and Livent that process raw minerals into battery-grade materials.

Each product stream comes with distinct specifications and certification requirements. Lithium must typically meet battery-grade purity of 99.5% or higher; cobalt must comply with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. US buyers increasingly demand third-party audits (e.g., IRMA, RMI) and proof of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance.

Coppermont assists suppliers in pre-qualifying their product samples, preparing technical data sheets, and aligning with buyer-specific quality assurance protocols. For example, we recently helped a Mozambican graphite producer achieve the particle size distribution and carbon purity required by a US anode manufacturer, resulting in a trial order within five months.

Beyond product quality, logistics and financing are critical. Most critical minerals move via containerized ocean freight from ports like Antofagasta (Chile), Matadi (DRC), or Toamasina (Madagascar) to US Gulf or West Coast ports. Incoterms, insurance, and warehousing near buyer facilities must be negotiated.

Coppermont connects suppliers with trade finance partners who can issue letters of credit or supply chain finance against purchase orders, reducing payment risk for both sides. We also advise on US customs classification (HS codes 2530, 2602, 2825, etc.) and ensure proper documentation for duty-free entry under the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) or free trade agreements such as the US-Chile FTA, US-Peru TPA, and USMCA.

Importing Critical Minerals and Battery Materials from the US

While the primary trade flow is from Latin America and Africa to the US, there is also a reverse market. US companies export refined critical mineral products—such as lithium hydroxide processed by Albemarle in North Carolina, cobalt sulfate from Freeport-McMoRan, and specialty graphite electrodes—to battery and industrial consumers in Latin America and Africa. For instance, Brazilian EV battery manufacturers import US-sourced nickel sulfate, while South African mining operations purchase US-made grinding media and chemical reagents for mineral processing.

Coppermont helps US exporters identify qualified buyers in these regions, navigate local import regulations, and structure distribution agreements that mitigate currency and political risk.

Regulatory and Compliance Overview

The US regulatory framework for critical minerals is evolving rapidly. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 ties EV tax credits (up to $7,500 per vehicle) to battery mineral sourcing from countries with which the US has a free trade agreement or from recycled materials. Minerals from Chile, Peru, and Mexico qualify under existing FTAs; those from Argentina, the DRC, or Madagascar generally do not, unless processed in a qualifying country.

However, the US Treasury Department has issued guidance allowing certain “non-FTA” countries to qualify under “effective” trade agreements, and the Defense Production Act has been invoked to support domestic processing. Coppermont monitors these developments and advises clients on how to structure supply chains to maximize IRA eligibility.

For African producers, the US Dodd-Frank Act Section 1502 imposes due diligence requirements for conflict minerals (tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold) from the DRC and adjoining countries. While cobalt and lithium are not currently covered, buyers increasingly demand equivalent due diligence under the OECD framework. Additionally, the US Environmental Protection Agency and state-level regulations (e.g., California’s Safer Consumer Products program) impose restrictions on certain processing chemicals and waste handling.

Labor practices, including child labor concerns in cobalt mining, are under scrutiny by the US Customs and Border Protection, which can issue Withhold Release Orders on shipments. Coppermont conducts compliance audits, helps clients implement traceability systems (e.g., blockchain-based chain-of-custody), and prepares documentation for US importers.

Countries and Trade Corridors

Active corridors in critical minerals trade include the Chile–US lithium corridor, where Chilean producers ship lithium carbonate to US converters in North Carolina and Texas; the DRC–US cobalt corridor, with cobalt hydroxide routed through South African ports for consolidation; the Madagascar–US graphite corridor, supplying flake graphite to US anode makers; and the Peru–US copper corridor, one of the largest copper trade flows globally. Emerging corridors include Argentina’s lithium projects (Cauchari-Olaroz, Sal de Vida) and Brazil’s nickel laterite deposits (Vale’s operations in Pará). In Africa, Mozambique’s Balama graphite mine and South Africa’s manganese mines are expanding capacity for US buyers.

Coppermont has on-the-ground relationships across its core Latin American and Lusophone African markets in this vertical—including Chile, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, and Mozambique—enabling rapid due diligence, site visits, and government liaison.

How Coppermont Advisory Works for This Vertical

Coppermont provides end-to-end trade advisory for critical minerals and battery supply chain participants. For suppliers, we begin with a market assessment: which US buyer segments are most active, what specifications they require, and what price benchmarks apply (e.g., Fastmarkets, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence). We then prepare a market entry plan that includes product positioning, regulatory compliance, logistics optimization, and buyer introduction through our network of procurement executives at battery manufacturers and chemical processors.

For US buyers, we conduct supplier scouting and vetting, including ESG audits, sample testing coordination, and negotiation support for offtake agreements. Our team includes former mining engineers, trade lawyers, and supply chain specialists with deep experience in Latin America and Africa.

We also advise on financing mechanisms, such as prepayment structures, tolling agreements, and joint ventures. For example, we recently structured a prepayment facility for a US battery maker to secure lithium supply from a Chilean producer, reducing the buyer’s price risk and giving the supplier working capital. Coppermont’s fee models are flexible—transaction-based, retainer, or success-fee—ensuring alignment with client goals.