Critical Minerals Strategy (E.O. 13817)

Summary

Reduces America's need to buy important minerals from other countries by finding and mining more of them at home.

What problem does this solve?

The United States depends too much on other countries for minerals that are vital for our economy and military. This order creates a plan to increase mining and recycling of these minerals within the U.S., making the country more self-reliant.

What does this order do?

Defines and lists critical minerals

Requires the Secretary of the Interior to create an official list of minerals that are essential for the country's economy and national security.

Creates a national strategy to reduce reliance on foreign minerals

Directs the Secretary of Commerce and other agencies to develop a plan to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign sources for critical minerals.

Speeds up mining permits

Recommends ways to make the leasing and permitting process faster for exploring, producing, and processing critical minerals in the United States.

Improves access to geological data

Calls for a plan to improve mapping of U.S. land and make the data available electronically to help private companies find new mineral deposits.

Promotes domestic mineral production and recycling

Establishes a federal policy to support all parts of the mineral supply chain within the U.S., including exploration, mining, recycling, and reprocessing.

Who does this affect?

U.S. mining companies
Manufacturing industries
U.S. military and defense contractors

What is the real world impact?

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Strengthens national security

Reduces dependence on foreign countries for materials needed by the military and for key technologies. This makes the U.S. less vulnerable if other countries decide to stop selling these minerals.

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Boosts the domestic mining industry

Encourages more mining, processing, and recycling inside the United States. This can create jobs and support American companies in the mining sector.

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May speed up environmental reviews for mining

Calls for streamlining the permitting process for new mines. Critics might argue this could weaken environmental protections by rushing reviews for mining projects.

When does this start?

This order became effective on December 20, 2017, and sets multiple deadlines for federal agencies.

Publication of critical minerals list

The Secretary of the Interior must publish a list of critical minerals no later than 60 days after December 20, 2017.

Submission of federal strategy report

The Secretary of Commerce must submit a report with a strategy to the President within 180 days after the list of critical minerals is published.