PDF versionCritical minerals and materials are key components of the innovation economy. Minerals are a part of almost every product we use on a daily basis, either as the raw materials for manufacturing processes or as the end products themselves. Advanced technologies for communications, clean energy, medical devices, and national security rely on raw materials from mines throughout the world. In 2010, China curtailed exports of rare earth metals and sparked major concern about the security of global supply chains for a range of vital minerals and materials.
This briefing will address the efforts being taken at the federal level to ensure a steady supply of critical minerals and materials. Speakers will highlight:
- Research on locating and processing the minerals and materials that fuel cutting-edge technology and manufacturing across the United States
- The role of information on the global supply of, demand for, and flow of minerals and materials in identifying critical minerals and supporting economic and strategic decision making.
Speakers
- Lawrence D. Meinert, Program Coordinator, Mineral Resources Program, U.S. Geological Survey
- Steven M. Fortier, Director, National Minerals Information Center, U.S. Geological Survey
- Rod Eggert, Professor, Colorado School of Mines, and Deputy Director, Critical Materials Institute, Ames Laboratory
- Moderated by Dr. P. Patrick Leahy, Executive Director, American Geosciences Institute, and Chair, Minerals Science and Information Coalition
Date: March 3, 2016 4:00 pm
Location: 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Sponsored by American Chemical Society, American Exploration & Mining Association, American Geosciences Institute, American Physical Society, Geological Society of America, Industrial Minerals Association - North America, National Mining Association, Society of Economic Geologists, and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration.