Early Action on Mining Clarity Act is Key to U.S. Security

What you need to know

• Congress discusses Mining Regulatory Clarity Act and other promising mining policy efforts.
• United States’ mineral dependence on China poses major threats to our economy and national security.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO

March 19, 2025

Dear Friends,

American import reliance for minerals from China is a looming threat to our economy. The risk import reliance poses on American industry will continue to grow unless we take immediate action to shore up our mineral production. Fortunately, several early moves in both chambers of Congress have shown a bipartisan focus on minerals policy that, if enacted, will prove essential to bolstering U.S. national security and domestic minerals production.

In the Senate, Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2025, and in the House, companion legislation has been introduced by Representatives Mark Amodei (R-NV) and Steven Horsford (D-NV). The bills work to address an issue resulting from the improper 2022 Center for Biological Diversity et al. v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service et al. court decision. This flawed decision reversed more than 150 years of legal precedent and mining practice, making it extremely difficult to operate mines efficiently and responsibly in the U.S. Importantly, nothing in the legislation permits, allows or expands any type of mining activity on protected or conserved lands, including previously withdrawn lands or lands in our national parks. Nor does it allow or incentivize the blocking of access or use of lands for other multiple-use activities.

What it does is allow the United States to unlock its vast supply of resources to expand mineral supply chains and ensure producers across the nation can conduct responsible mining activities on federal lands.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources recently held a hearing that underscored the importance of this legislation, and also considered the Critical Mineral Consistency Act. These pieces of legislation remain vital to ensuring a future of mineral independence in the United States.

The early movement around mining policy presents exciting and promising opportunities for U.S. mineral production; however, it will require Congress to continue with clear and consistent action for America to unleash our full mineral potential.

Thank you,

Rich Nolan
NMA President and CEO