WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Mining Association (NMA) today applauded legislation introduced by Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) – “National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act” – which would make key mine permitting systems more efficient.
“This bill provides an important step forward in reducing our import reliance for minerals that can be sourced in the U.S., boosting our country’s economy and supporting U.S. manufacturing with domestically-sourced raw materials,” said Hal Quinn, NMA President and CEO. “It is time for Congress to act to remove the barriers to responsible mining here at home. U.S. mining is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world, and our lengthy and duplicative permitting process can last more than a decade. We can and must do better.”
According to the USGS 2019 Minerals Commodities Report, the U.S. is now 100 percent import reliant for 18 minerals and more than 50 percent import reliant for an additional 30 minerals.
Despite being home to minerals reserves estimated at $6.2 trillion, the U.S. imports many of the materials required for its national defense, energy, technology and manufacturing sectors. Import reliance subjects our supply chains to geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions.
Less than half of the minerals U.S. manufacturers need are sourced domestically, despite the nation’s abundant mineral endowment.
Currently, it can take anywhere from seven to 10 years to obtain a permit to begin a mining project, placing the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage and forcing our economy to become increasingly reliant on foreign producers for minerals we can produce domestically. Countries such as Canada and Australia, which have environmental standards similar to those in the U.S., complete the process in two to three years.
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