Minerals Access

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Federal lands, which comprise nearly 700 million acres of this country’s mineral estate, play a significant role in supplying present and future mineral resource needs. Access to federal lands for mineral exploration and development is critical to maintaining a strong domestic mining industry.

Most federal lands are located in 12 western states, which are the source of much of our nation’s mineral endowment. As a result, national policy affecting the availability and use of federal lands for resource development has significant implications for whether or not these important resources are available to meet the nation’s needs.

 

Did you know?

  • Every American uses an average of nearly 40,000 pounds of newly mined materials each year.
  • The United States produced about 6 percent of the world's nonfuel nonferrous minerals in 2010.
  • The Toyota Prius plug-in-hybrid requires about 50 pounds of rare earth metals for its motor and battery.
© 2013, National Mining Association