A Landmark Year for American Minerals Security

As 2025 draws to a close, the mining industry reflects on a transformative year of decisive government action aimed at securing a future of mineral independence for the United States. From the Trump administration’s executive orders and agency actions, to landmark investments, 2025 has marked a fundamental shift in how America prioritizes domestic minerals production.

A Year of Executive Action

From day one, President Trump’s second administration made clear that domestic minerals production would be a cornerstone of his economic and national security agenda. On January 20, the President signed “Unleashing American Energy,” an executive order directing federal agencies to remove regulatory barriers obstructing the identification and development of domestic minerals. This wasn’t symbolic – it was an urgent directive to agencies nationwide to act.

What followed was unprecedented momentum. In February, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum issued a Secretarial Order requiring a comprehensive review of all domestic mining and processing to restore America’s mineral dominance. That same month, the President established the National Energy Dominance Council, effectively creating the “Minerals Czar” position for which we have long advocated. This centralized authority provides a single point of coordination for America’s mineral policy across the federal government.

By March, the administration took the next major step, issuing an executive order directing federal agencies to prioritize domestic mineral production, leverage the Defense Production Act and encouraging public and private investment in mining projects.

Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced a landmark expansion of the Critical Minerals List in November, recognizing the vital role a secure domestic minerals supply plays in American prosperity. The message was clear: America’s mineral security is a national priority.

Breaking Through with Permitting

Earlier this year, the National Energy Dominance Council began adding minerals production projects to the FAST-41 program – the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council’s dashboard and transparency list designed to streamline approvals through increased transparency and accountability. To date, 50 mining projects have benefited from streamlined consideration under the FAST-41 designation and the transparency list.

In June, Secretary Burgum announced important NEPA reforms, eliminating unnecessary regulatory redundancies that had been used to obstruct project approvals indefinitely. These reforms directly address one of industry’s most pressing concerns: that environmental review requirements had become a tool for litigation rather than genuine environmental stewardship.

Strategic Public and Private Investment

Beyond regulatory action, 2025 saw the federal government take a more active role in strengthening mineral supply chains through direct investment. In July, the Department of War made a historic move by becoming the largest shareholder in rare earths mining company MP Materials, investing $400 million in stock and extending a $150 million loan.

In early October, the U.S. Department of Energy took a 5 percent stake in Lithium Americas, along with a 5 percent stake in Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass project, which is the largest lithium deposit in the country. The momentum extended to private markets, with JPMorgan Chase’s $75 million investment and nearly 3 percent stake in Perpetua Resources.

A Foundation for the Future

Together, these actions represent the most coordinated federal push for domestic minerals production in a generation. But the work isn’t finished – for these victories to translate into lasting minerals independence, Congress must act to make the administration’s reforms permanent.

2025 will be remembered as the year America began to reclaim its role as a global minerals leader. With coordinated action from both the public and private sector, 2025 is not just a win for the mining industry – it’s a win for America’s energy independence, economic competitiveness and national security. Here’s to continued progress and impact for the mining industry in 2026.