Murkowski resurrects critical minerals bill

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski reintroduced her bill yesterday to boost extraction of certain minerals deemed vital to national security.

The Alaska Republican’s “American Mineral Security Act” aims to streamline the federal permitting process for so-called critical minerals. It also seeks to strengthen the overall mineral supply chain and workforce.

Permitting reform is the top priority of the mining industry, which argues that the increasing dependence on foreign countries, namely China, for elements required in military and energy technologies puts the nation at risk.

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