A Unique Voice for Industry
Companies across the critical mineral ecosystem face unique challenges in operating in opaque and often distorted markets. The CMA USA provides a platform for knowledge and experience sharing, creating robust networks, solving industry challenges and leveraging opportunities.
A collective, unified voice is more powerful. The CMA USA brings stakeholders across the critical minerals industry to drive meaningful change and deliver pragmatic outcomes for the industry.
The Critical Minerals Association USA (CMA USA) has been set up to favourably position US companies involved in the critical minerals value chain to effectively compete on the global stage.
We aim to give the critical minerals industry a unified voice at both State and Federal levels to address challenges facing critical minerals companies.
Our Goals
With the support of our members, we hope to:
CATALYSE
Catalyse U.S. processing and refining capability, propelling vertical integration from mine to end-product.
BOLSTER
Bolster domestic security of supply and lessen America's reliance on adversaries.
CONNECT
Connect industry across the supply chain and transform understanding.
DRIVE
Drive thought leadership on responsible practices.
Our Focus
America's security, technological development, energy diversification and prosperity rely on stable and secure critical minerals supply chains.
The CMA USA represents and positions the critical minerals sector to:
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Effectively voice challenges and opportunities to State and Federal Governments and influence policy
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Drive thought leadership on responsible practices across the supply chain
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Capitalise on its natural resource endowments and accelerate vertical integration domestically and in partnership with like-minded nations
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Build robust connections with wider stakeholders and access to finance
EDUCATE
Educate civil society on the importance of critical minerals, and their role in the energy transition.
International Network
The CMA USA is part of the Critical Minerals International Alliance (CMIA), an overarching body coordinating the domestic-focused associations: CMA Australia, and the CMA UK. CMIA is also partnered with the Canadian Critical Minerals and Materials Alliance (C2M2A).
The CMA USA is an independent industry body that focuses on domestic issues facing US companies operating domestically and internationally, as well as international companies operating in the US.
Leadership
Jeff Townsend
Founder & Executive Director
Jeff is the founder of the Critical Minerals Associations in the UK, Australia and the U.S. as well as CMIA. He is an internationally recognised critical minerals expert with strong ties to the UK, Australia, across Africa and the Middle East. Jeff is an experienced public affairs and campaign strategist having been a Director at Aspect Consulting and an International Affairs Advisor and Chief of Staff to members of the UK parliament.
Olimpia Pilch
Founder & Director
Olimpia is a geologist by training having completed a BSc Geology degree at Durham University and an MSc Exploration Geology degree at Camborne School of Mines. Olimpia has driven thought leadership on responsible sourcing of critical minerals which influenced government policy. She actively champions the industry and brings together critical minerals companies, end users, investors, and governments. Olimpia is also the co-founder of CMA Australia, CMA USA, and the CMIA.
Dennis Gibson
Chairman
Dennis Gibson has over 40 years of international mining experience. He started his career at Rand Mines in South Africa and then joined Rio Tinto, a global mining company, where he held various senior operational and strategic positions for more than two decades. He also served on the Executive Committee of Energy Resources of Australia, a company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. He has led and executed projects and studies across Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, with a strong emphasis on technology, infrastructure, sustainability, water and tailings management and mine closure. He was the Chief Technical Officer Mining at Black & Veatch, a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company.
He is now the President of Snowline Group, where he provides strategic market entry advice to clients, leveraging his vast industry knowledge and networks. He is also the Chief Technical Officer of Future Element, a company that aims to re-process mine tailings to recover critical minerals and metals. Dennis holds a BSc and MSc in civil engineering from Natal University in South Africa and an executive MBA from Henley Management College in the UK.
Thomas Hale
Director of Public Affairs
Thomas is dedicated to driving change within the critical minerals industry. He is the founder and executive director of Minerals in Context, a new grassroots non-profit dedicated to raising public awareness and investing in education about minerals and their importance to society. He is especially passionate about science communication and what he coins “mineral diplomacy,” or the use of minerals and materials as a tool for engaging global communities about the importance of mining to achieve shared energy futures. He has served as an adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies focusing on the nexus between the mining industry and national, environmental, and human security and is currently a PhD student at the University of Delaware in the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences.
Thomas received his master’s degree at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University in Security Policy Studies, and his bachelor’s degree at Virginia Polytechnic and State University in Political Science with a focus on natural resource issues. His research on critical minerals includes Central Africa, South Asia, and current research in the Arctic, specifically Greenland, Finland, and Sweden. Thomas has extensive experience in community engagement and education, two necessary skills for establishing social license and making policymakers aware of these critical challenges that lie ahead.