2 Critical Mineral Stocks With High Upside Potential

Have you considered investing in critical minerals? Probably not. But here’s why it might be a market sector worth your time…

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First up, an impressive number: Forecasts suggest that demand for critical minerals will quadruple by 2040 in a net-zero scenario. The energy transition is funded, legislated, and already underway.

Copper tells the story fastest: a gasoline car uses 20 pounds, an EV uses more than 180, and a single offshore wind turbine contains roughly 29 tons. Goldman Sachs titled their 2021 commodities report "Copper is the New Oil" — and the supply-demand math still backs it up. 

Zinc is similar — 60% of global output goes into galvanizing steel for infrastructure and renewables, with $1.2 trillion in U.S. infrastructure spending providing a tailwind that doesn't expire.

And Gold isn't a relic. Central banks bought over 1,000 tonnes annually in 2022, 2023, and 2024 — the highest pace since 1950. When the institutions that print money are hoarding it, that's worth paying attention to. And domestic steel is seeing something rare: political protection and genuine demand at the same time, with the U.S. market projected to grow at a 4.1% CAGR through 2035.

Surging demand. Constrained supply. Decades of underinvestment. Here are 2 stocks poised to benefit.

1. SSR Mining (NASDAQ: SSRM)

Gold is largely considered a critical mineral, and mining it has been a business perhaps before the ancient concept of business. And despite the tech trends, we can’t ignore its value and the value of companies that mine it, such as SSRM. The company has had an excellent rise in the last week, given announcements to reinstate the dividend and buy back $500 million in stock. Long-term, SSRM is planning on selling its Turkish Copler mine for $1.5 billion for reinvestment purposes

SSRM earns an overall A from the Zen Ratings, indicating it’s a high-quality stock with a higher-than-average likelihood to outperform the market. 

Currently with a B Component Grade (above average) in Value, Growth, Momentum, and Financials, SSRM is looking to be a long-term pick for many portfolios even outside of the recent news. The price of gold has dropped over the last few months, but it’s still only a small downturn compared to the price rise in the preceding year. Gold and other metals SSRM produces will still be necessary.

2. Nucor Corp (NYSE: NUE)

Here’s a pick and shovels play with you.

Steel isn’t a critical mineral, but it’s crucial FOR critical minerals.

Building new copper mines, uranium mines, rare earth processing facilities, power plants, transmission lines, and factories requires enormous amounts of steel. If the U.S. accelerates critical-mineral development, steel demand could rise indirectly.

Nucor has had an excellent run over the past year, with a 112.94% increase in its share price, but we also want to draw attention to the Component Grades (see below). Note the high Momentum score: there is still room to grow. On top of that, there are few weaknesses to be found in the Component Grades, indicating a foundationally strong company. Investors will want to watch overall demand for steel, infrastructure trends, and whether policies meant to protect US steel production hold, weaken, or strengthen.

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