Efficient domestic permitting the answer to U.S. dependence on Chinese minerals

Calling for a more efficient mining permitting process that would benefit the U.S. raw materials supply chain, Eastern New Mexico University geology professor Dr. Jim Constantopoulos stated, “If we continue to neglect domestic mining, the United States will become more vulnerable to supply disruptions and astronomical costs for minerals critically important to defense and energy technologies. Without a vital U.S. mining industry, there will be a steady decline in our security and standard of living. Our reputation as a global economic leader will suffer.”

In his op-ed published in the Las Cruces Sun-News, Dr. Constantopoulos—who is also chairman of the university’s Department of Physical Sciences and director of the Miles Mineral Museum—argued that increased domestic mining could offset China’s dominance in minerals mining, which is causing “serious long-term and short-term implications for American working people and U.S. economic competitiveness.”