House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) presented testimony before the House Committee on Rules in support of H.R. 4090, the Critical Mineral Dominance Act.
Stauber outlined concerns about U.S. dependence on imported minerals and the risks it poses to national and economic security. He referenced a recent U.S. Geological Survey report listing 60 critical mineral commodities that are considered vulnerable due to supply chain disruptions.
Stauber highlighted projections from S&P Global that estimate global copper demand will increase by 50 percent by 2040, largely driven by advances in artificial intelligence, defense, and manufacturing. This rising demand could result in a significant shortfall unless domestic mining is expanded.
"Unfortunately, our country has moved in the opposite direction in recent decades, becoming dangerously reliant on mineral imports. This dependency plays right into the hands of our adversaries," Stauber said. He noted China's control over much of the world's critical mineral production and processing capacity, stating, "We’ve repeatedly seen the CCP impose mineral export restrictions and use its stranglehold over rare earth minerals as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations, increasing uncertainty across key sectors of our economy."
He called for reducing regulatory barriers to domestic mining and criticized actions taken by the Biden administration that he described as restricting development on public lands.
Stauber credited President Trump with implementing policies aimed at boosting domestic mineral production through executive orders and including new projects in expedited permitting processes.
"H.R. 4090 builds on President Trump’s efforts by codifying aspects of three executive orders relating to hardrock mining," Stauber stated.
The bill would require the Department of the Interior to assess costs related to U.S. import reliance for each monitored mineral commodity. It also directs federal agencies to identify lands suitable for new mineral production, streamline approval for priority mining projects, and accelerate mapping efforts to better understand domestic resources.
Additionally, H.R. 4090 mandates a nationwide review of laws and regulations that may discourage mineral development, with findings and recommendations reported to Congress.
During committee markup, bipartisan amendments were adopted requiring additional reporting on barriers to byproduct mineral production from federal lands and examining potential for extracting hardrock minerals from coal ash.
"By codifying these policies into law, we will provide our domestic mining sector the policy certainty it needs to invest and grow here in the United States," Stauber concluded.
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