On March 7, the full House Committee on Natural Resources marked up the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act (H.R.520), following a hearing to consider the bill last month. The Act, introduced by Representative Mark Amodei (R-NV-2) on January 13, aims to support domestic production of minerals that are of strategic and critical importance to the economic and national security, energy infrastructure, and manufacturing competitiveness of the Unites States. H.R.520 was reported favorably as amended by the committee, and now awaits further action on the House floor.
Following the release of a USGS report on 23 mineral commodities that are critical for the U.S. economy and security, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to reduce America's dependence on foreign sources of critical minerals. Shortly after the executive order, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke released a secretarial order on December 21 directing the initial steps to producing a nationwide geological and topographical survey of the U.S.
On December 12, the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing, “Examining Consequences of America’s Growing Dependence on Foreign Minerals,” to discuss reasons for the declining self-sufficiency of the United States for mineral commodities, and the consequences of relying on foreign sources for critical minerals.
No country in the world produces all of the mineral resources necessary for modern society. International trade plays a critical role in providing these raw materials, forming a global network of production, export, import, and use. This network must continuously adapt to national and international developments in science, technology, politics, and economics. As a result, information on the global flow of raw materials plays a fundamental role in improving national and international resilience to potential supply disruptions and market changes.
Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA-50) introduced the "Materials Essential to American Leadership and Security (METALS) Act" (H.R.1407) to ensure the U.S. has access to a sustainable and secure supply of materials to safeguard our national security on March 7.
The International Union of Geological Sciences has posted its second open call for the its global initiative called Resourcing Future Generations (RFG), to bring geoscientists together to address the world's future resource needs head-on. Bids for small top-up grants to take forward discrete pieces of work in support of RFG. Grants will average $3000, but more may be awarded. More information ins available in right sidebar on the linked site.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) published the report, "Strengthened Federal Approach Needed to Help Identify and Mitigate Supply Risks for Critical Raw Materials" (GAO-16-699). The 79 page report identified that federal agencies are primarily focused on two areas of activity related to critical minerals supply—assessing risk and supporting research. The report identifies selected strengths and limitations of federal critical materials activities and concludes with six recommendations.
The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), announced that it is accepting applications for the 2016 scholarship season through October 15, 2016. SME scholarships are available to SME student members who seek a career in the mining and minerals industries. This year more than $425,000 in scholarships will be awarded by SME Divisions, the SME Foundation, the Women’s Auxiliary to AIME (WAAIME), and the Underground Construction Association of SME (UCA of SME). Additionally, several memorial scholarships have been created to honor Society luminaries and their contributions to the industry.