U.S. Lags in Mine Development; Senate Takes on Permitting Reform
August 15, 2024
S&P Global found that, on average, it takes 29 years for a U....
As the House and Senate convene on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the debate around a hotly-contested provision to the bill – which would reduce our redundant mine permitting process from nearly a decade to just two to three years – is gaining steam. For members of Congress, it’s necessary to understand why improving access to our domestic resources is crucial to the vitality of our defense sector, and the safety of our country.
With the potential to significantly improve our military supply chain, it should not come as a surprise that this permitting provision has generated buzz. See what some of the experts are saying about the inclusion of the minerals provision within the final NDAA:
This situation is entirely self-inflicted. Despite being home to an estimated $6.2 trillion worth of minerals reserves, our mine permitting process is full of duplicative federal and state regulations and a lack of coordination between agencies. The protracted timeline of the permitting process discourages investment in domestic mining, forcing the Department of Defense to look overseas for mineral supplies. It’s time for the U.S. to put our security back in our own hands by streamlining the permitting process so that our military has access to critical minerals. Our national security should not be subject to outdated and burdensome policies that inhibit our ability to keep our troops—and our country—safe.
Make your voice heard! Write your legislator today to encourage them to support the inclusion of the minerals permitting provision to the NDAA.