As the importance and dependence of specific mineral commodities increase, so does concern about their supply. The United States is currently 100 percent reliant on foreign sources for 20 mineral commodities and imports the majority of its supply of more than 50 mineral commodities. Mineral commodities that have important uses and face potential supply disruption are critical to American economic and national security. However, a mineral commodity's importance and the nature of its supply chain can change with time; a mineral commodity that may not have been considered critical 25 years ago may be critical today, and one considered critical today may not be so in the future. The U.S. Geological Survey has produced this volume to describe a select group of mineral commodities currently critical to our economy and security. For each mineral commodity covered, the authors provide a comprehensive look at (1) the commodity's use; (2) the geology and global distribution of the mineral deposit types that account for the present and possible future supply of the commodity; (3) the current status of production, reserves, and resources in the United States and globally; and (4) environmental considerations related to the commodity's production from different types of mineral deposits. The volume describes U.S. critical mineral resources in a global context, for no country can be self-sufficient for all its mineral commodity needs, and the United States will always rely on global mineral commodity supply chains. This volume provides the scientific understanding of critical mineral resources required for informed decisionmaking by those responsible for ensuring that the United States has a secure and sustainable supply of mineral commodities.

Minerals are part of virtually every product we use. Common examples include copper used in electrical wiring and titanium used to make airplane frames and paint pigments. The Information Age has ushered in a number of new mineral uses in a number of products including cell phones (e.g., tantalum) and liquid crystal displays (e.g., indium). For some minerals, such as the platinum group metals used to make cataytic converters in cars, there is no substitute. If the supply of any given mineral were to become restricted, consumers and sectors of the U.S. economy could be significantly affected. Risks to minerals supplies can include a sudden increase in demand or the possibility that natural ores can be exhausted or become too difficult to extract. Minerals are more vulnerable to supply restrictions if they come from a limited number of mines, mining companies, or nations. Baseline information on minerals is currently collected at the federal level, but no established methodology has existed to identify potentially critical minerals. This book develops such a methodology and suggests an enhanced federal initiative to collect and analyze the additional data needed to support this type of tool.

This report examines the role of rare earth metals and other materials in the clean energy economy. It was prepared by the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) based on data collected and research performed during 2010. In the report, DoE describes plans to: (1) develop its first integrated research agenda addressing critical materials, building on three technical workshops convened by the DoE during November and December 2010; (2) strengthen its capacity for information-gathering on this topic; and (3) work closely with international partners, including Japan and Europe, to reduce vulnerability to supply disruptions and address critical material needs. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand report.

A high percentage of many raw and semi-finished materials critical to U.S. manufacturing are imported. China is the controlling producer of 11 of these materials and has instituted export restrictions that have led to two-tier pricing, creating pressure to move manufacturing to China. This report suggests the need for actions to mitigate the impact of such market distortions on the global manufacturing sector.

This book, the result of a congressionally mandated study, examines the adequacy of the regulatory framework for mining of hardrock mineralsâ€"such as gold, silver, copper, and uraniumâ€"on over 350 million acres of federal lands in the western United States. These lands are managed by two agenciesâ€"the Bureau of Land Management in the Department of the Interior, and the Forest Service in the Department of Agriculture. The committee concludes that the complex network of state and federal laws that regulate hardrock mining on federal lands is generally effective in providing environmental protection, but improvements are needed in the way the laws are implemented and some regulatory gaps need to be addressed. The book makes specific recommendations for improvement, including: The development of an enhanced information management system and a more efficient process to review new mining proposals and issue permits. Changes to regulations that would require all mining operations, other than "casual use" activities that negligibly disturb the environment, to provide financial assurances for eventual site cleanup. Changes to regulations that would require all mining and milling operations (other than casual use) to submit operating plans in advance.

Mineral Commodity Summaries 2019

The Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) of the U. S. Department of Energy commissioned the National Research Council (NRC) to undertake a study on required technologies for the Mining Industries of the Future Program to complement information provided to the program by the National Mining Association. Subsequently, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health also became a sponsor of this study, and the Statement of Task was expanded to include health and safety. The overall objectives of this study are: (a) to review available information on the U.S. mining industry; (b) to identify critical research and development needs related to the exploration, mining, and processing of coal, minerals, and metals; and (c) to examine the federal contribution to research and development in mining processes.

Is America in jeopardy?Any day, America could be held hostage over critical minerals used in all advanced technologies due to the decades-long shunning of domestic mining. Groundbreaking! describes the all-too-real consequences of misguided policy decisions and environmental alarmism, and recommends 21st-century solutions to sustainable self-reliance by leveraging the wealth right under our feet.By importing 100% of key minerals from China, Russia, and third world dictatorships, we face an ongoing risk of losing the technology behind everything from smartphones to "green" technology. The recent requirements put into place by our legislators and regulators literally require tons of minerals for batteries and magnets to run electric cars and trucks; to support advancements in medical equipment such as dental drills and MRIs; and to manufacture solar panels and wind turbines for alternative energy sources. Advanced weaponry and defensive equipment for our troops requires critical minerals, too, yet we are reliant on getting that gear from countries who at best could be called allies, and at worst are outright hostile to America's values.Our policies must acknowledge the reality that critical minerals, or more accurately the lack thereof, often play a key role in dictating foreign policy and national security decisions.Planning to adapt before a problem occurs must become a national goal. This means reversing dangerous import trends and exploring for domestic minerals-the two major policy goals explained in this book.With a Foreword by Paul Driessen, Senior Policy Advisor, Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow"EVERYONE in government & industry should endorse this PLAN"ENDORSEMENTS: Groundbreaking! is the culmination of sharp-eyed insight into the decades-long erosion of U.S. mining and the need to reverse this self-imposed economic and national security vulnerability...Mamula and Bridges have woven together myriad threads to give us the startling implications of our failed minerals policies. National Mining AssociationAmerica is sitting on a multi-trillion dollar treasure chest of minerals and valuable resources... Why aren't we benefiting from these riches buried right below our feet?Steve Moore, Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Institute for Economic Freedom, The Heritage FoundationMamula and Bridges have succeeded in delivering a very complete narrative of where we are, how we got there, and what to do about fixing it. This book should reside in the library of every national security professional and be used as a major reference work.Dean Popps, Former US Army Acquisition Executive & Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition Logistics and TechnologyThis was a fascinating read, and compelling... [T]his should serve as a wake-up call to legislators and the general public. Our exposure to seriously restrictive policies by China could be the Sputnik Moment of our generation.John Keating, Venture Advisor, Silicon Valley, Former VP Government Programs & Discoveries Business Unit, Intermolecular, Inc.Groundbreaking! is a book that all Americans who care about our national security should read. It is a call to action to restore our mineral independence. Mamula and Bridges' book is both a readable narrative and a skilled study by two expert authorities on our mineral resources.John Adams, Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Ret.), President, Guardian Six LLCIf you care about technological vulnerability in an interdependent world-and you should-Groundbreaking needs to be front and center on your bookshelf.Patrick J. Michaels, author of Lukewarming: The New Climate Science that Changes EverythingCongressman Jim Santini (R-NV) and Governor and later President Ronald Reagan knew all this and much, much more but few listened to them back then. Perhaps they will listen today.William Perry Pendley, Esq., President, Mountain States Legal Foundation, Author, Sagebrush Rebel

Mankind is using a greater variety of metals in greater quantities than ever before. As a result there is increasing global concern over the long-term availability of secure and adequate supplies of the metals needed by society. Critical metals, which are those of growing economic importance that might be susceptible to future scarcity, are a particular worry. For many of these we have little information on how they are concentrated in the Earth’s crust, how to extract them from their ores, and how to use, recycle and dispose of them effectively and safely. Published with the British Geological Survey, the Critical Metals Handbook brings together a wealth of knowledge on critical metals and provides a foundation for improving the future security and sustainability of critical metal supplies. Written by international experts, it provides a unique source of authoritative information on diverse aspects of the critical metals, including geology, deposits, processing, applications, recycling, environmental issues and markets. It is aimed at a broad non-specialist audience, including professionals and academics working in the exploration and mining sectors, in mining finance and investment, and in mineral processing and manufacturing. It will also be a valuable reference for policy makers concerned with resource management, land-use planning, eco-efficiency, recycling and related fields.