The new administration has finally taken the advice from the U.S. Geologically Survey to boost production of critical minerals (mostly rare earth minerals) used for manufacturing everything from smartphones to wind turbines and cars, raising the prospect of more mining. A new executive order directs federal agencies (i.e., U.S. Geologically Survey, Bureau of Mines, DOE, etc) to find ways to increase exploration, mining and processing of critical minerals and streamline permits for private mining companies. The order follows a report that says the United States is reliant on China, Russia and other nations for the overwhelming majority of minerals such as platinum, manganese and rare-earth elements, [ which has been known for more than 50 years but ignored because working with overseas country sources was thought to improve international relations.] A majority of all but two of 23 minerals identified as critical are produced by other nations, the report said.
The executive order will one-day reduce the nation’s vulnerability to disruptions in the supply of critical minerals caused by hostile government actions, natural disaster or other events, Trump said. “The United States must not remain reliant on foreign competitors like Russia and China for the critical minerals needed to keep our economy strong and our country safe,” he said. Why U.S. buys from China? See (more).
Most of the minerals identified as critical are produced in China, including virtually all of the rare-earth elements integral to high-end electronics. The U.S. has reserves of rare-earth elements in California, Texas, and other Western states, including Alaska, but has been “undercut” by low production costs in China, the federal report said.
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