Lucid Accelerates Critical Mineral Sourcing with U.S. Partners
Lucid teams up with Alaska Energy Metals, Graphite One, Electric Metals USA, and RecycLiCo to launch MINAC, a bold initiative to secure America’s critical minerals and power its EV future.
Lucid Group (Nasdaq: LCID) isn’t just building electric vehicles anymore. It’s building the future of American industry—one mineral at a time. On July 23, 2025, the EV pioneer announced a bold new step in its mission to revolutionize transportation by launching the Minerals for National Automotive Competitiveness Collaboration, or MINAC. This powerful coalition brings together Lucid and four domestic mineral producers—Alaska Energy Metals (TSXV: AEMC, OTCQB: AKEMF), Graphite One (TSXV: GPH, OTCQX: GPHOF), Electric Metals USA (TSXV: EML, OTCQB: EMUSF), and RecycLiCo (TSXV: AMY, OTCQB: AMYZF)—to create a fortified, American-made supply chain for critical EV components.
At its core, MINAC is about reclaiming independence. It's about shaking off foreign reliance and bringing home the production of minerals that are absolutely essential to making batteries, motors, and the guts of every electric vehicle. With the Lucid Air and the upcoming Gravity SUV both assembled in Arizona, Lucid is putting its factory where its mouth is. Now, it’s going a step further by committing to source the raw materials for its vehicles from within U.S. borders.
The collaboration aims to accelerate domestic mineral production by locking in offtake agreements for essential metals, identifying roadblocks to commercialization, and streamlining coordination between mining and manufacturing sectors. The stakes are high. Nickel, manganese, graphite, lithium—these aren’t optional ingredients in the EV revolution. They’re the backbone. And until now, the U.S. has relied too heavily on foreign sources, often from countries with shaky environmental records and even shakier geopolitical ties.
Alaska Energy Metals is tackling that head-on by advancing one of the largest nickel projects in the country, located deep in Alaska’s interior. Nickel-rich battery chemistries extend range, improve battery life, and cut dependence on cobalt, which often comes with ethical and environmental baggage. Meanwhile, Electric Metals USA is developing the highest-grade manganese deposit in North America. Manganese isn’t just an afterthought in battery cathodes. It boosts energy density and enhances thermal stability, which means safer, more reliable vehicles.
Graphite One is bringing both natural and synthetic graphite to the table with operations in Northern Alaska and Ohio. These materials are crucial for anodes—the negative side of lithium-ion batteries—and until now, China has had a near chokehold on global graphite production. Through its agreement with Lucid, Graphite One aims to flip that narrative, ensuring U.S. automakers have secure access to this vital resource.
Then there’s RecycLiCo, which takes a different yet essential route to solving the supply problem. Using advanced hydrometallurgy, RecycLiCo recycles lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing scrap into high-purity battery-grade lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. That means fewer new mines and a second life for old materials—good news for both supply chains and the planet.
Lucid’s interim CEO, Marc Winterhoff, summed up the mission perfectly: “Domestic supply chains strengthen manufacturing resilience, fortify sustainable supply chains, and accelerate job growth.” It’s not just about building cars. It’s about building an entire industrial ecosystem that keeps American innovation at home.
And Lucid isn’t going at it alone. The company is backed by a chorus of political support from Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, U.S. Senators and Representatives including Dan Sullivan, Andy Biggs, Eli Crane, Juan Ciscomani, and Sen. Mark Kelly, all of whom see this as a win for economic security, jobs, and national defense.
MINAC is more than a corporate initiative. It’s a line in the sand. A commitment to reshoring what matters most. In a world increasingly defined by supply chain instability and geopolitical risk, Lucid and its partners are saying loud and clear: America builds here, with American materials, for an American future.