The U.S. mining industry is entering 2025 with a renewed sense of optimism as the Trump administration takes the helm. With promises of regulatory relief, streamlined permitting and a focus on strengthening domestic production of the minerals and energy our country needs, this revitalized approach to energy and mineral policy is welcome and much needed.
On his first day in office, President Trump took an important step forward in delivering his promise to unleash American energy. The Trump energy abundance agenda recognizes these crises: our dangerously and rapidly eroding grid reliability, soaring energy demand and spiking costs for consumers. Correctly including minerals in this bold, new energy vision recognizes minerals policy for what it is: a foundational piece of securing our nation’s economic and national security.
Minerals: Securing America’s Supply Chains
Executive Order (EO) “Unleashing American Energy,” couldn’t be clearer:
“It is the policy of the United States… to establish our position as the leading producer and processor of non-fuel minerals, including rare earth minerals, which will create jobs and prosperity at home, strengthen supply chains for the United States and its allies, and reduce the global influence of malign and adversarial states.”
This clear direction presents an unprecedented opportunity for the domestic mining industry to ramp up production of a full range of minerals from lithium and nickel to antimony and copper — resources that are essential for the energy, defense and tech industries.
There are specific actions that Congress and the administration can take now to ensure that policy becomes a reality. Streamlining the permitting process, limiting litigation delays and establishing a centralized federal office for mineral policy are all steps that can be taken to unlock America’s mineral potential and provide much-needed certainty for mining companies and their investors in pursuing new mining projects.
Now is the time for action. As data centers and artificial intelligence continue to grow in use, the mining industry has a vital role to play in ensuring the U.S. remains competitive on the world stage.
Coal Industry: Finding Stability Amid Rising Energy Demand
The coal industry has been under an unprecedented regulatory assault for the past four years. But language prominently featured in the executive order suggests that is going to change, and will change quickly.
“The heads of all agencies shall review all existing regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, settlements, consent orders, and any other agency …that impose an undue burden on the identification, development, or use of domestic energy resources — with particular attention to oil, natural gas, coal, hydropower, biofuels, critical mineral[s], and nuclear energy resources.”
Stopping the premature closure of well-operating coal power plants will not only be a good thing for the coal industry, but it’s an essential step in preserving affordable, reliable energy for all Americans amidst unprecedented power demand growth.
Additionally, reopening federal coal leasing programs in regions like the Powder River Basin will create both new opportunities for coal production and new revenues for the federal and state governments. With global coal demand reaching record highs in 2024 and U.S. electricity needs on the rise due to rapid data center expansion and electrification, coal is needed in the U.S. and abroad to meet ever-rising energy demands.
A New Era for Mining Professionals
Together, the mining industry has the chance to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure, enhance energy security and position itself as a global leader in innovation. With the right policies in place and the determination of those within the sector, the U.S. mining industry is ready to thrive in this new era. This is a time to embrace the opportunities ahead and work toward a stronger, more self-reliant America.