WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Mining Association (NMA) today applauded the passage out of Committee of the bipartisan Endless Frontier Act, which acknowledges the important role that domestic minerals mining plays in U.S. national security and economic competitiveness.
“Virtually every supply chain begins with the products of mining,” said Rich Nolan, NMA President and CEO. “From defense to manufacturing, energy to technology, the U.S. is finally waking up to the fact that we must ensure that made-in-America is also mined-in-America if we want both a full and robust economic recovery today and supply chain stability and predictability for the future. Our industry offers high-paying jobs that can be the building blocks of U.S. technological leadership if the right policies are put in place to support growth and economic recovery. This legislation offers bipartisan solutions that will help us more effectively use our domestic resources and reduce our overreliance on imports for the minerals – many of which are controlled by China – that we could instead be sourcing here at home, and doing so with American jobs.”
The bill now includes strong bipartisan language, offered as an amendment by Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and cosponsored by Sen. Jackie Rosen (D-Nev.), directing the National Science Foundation to support research to accelerate innovation that will advance critical minerals mining strategies and technologies. It also directs the Critical Minerals Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council to coordinate efforts to ensure secure and reliable supplies of critical minerals by advising on U.S. policies related to critical minerals; identifying emerging opportunities; ensuring data transparency; and providing recommendations on coordination and collaboration among the research, development, and deployment programs and activities of federal agencies. This important language strengthens the legislation and supports a robust and diverse minerals supply chain.
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