Minerals play an invaluable role in enhancing our quality of life, powering the economy and strengthening the national security of the United States.

While America is home to an estimated $6.2 trillion worth of key mineral resources, our ability to secure these critical materials is threatened by an outdated permitting process and regulations that delay critical investments for years—and in some cases, up to a decade.

Backgrounder on U.S. Minerals Mining

The Economic Contributions of U.S. Mining

Every year, the average American uses hundreds of newly mined minerals. These resources help support our nation's supply chain and enable various industries to bring to market products that keep our citizens healthy and our economy competitive. Everyday items like cell phones, laptops, cars—even buildings, lifesaving medical devices and equipment used in national defense systems—all come from minerals.

Thanks to pioneering technologies and best practices, we have great potential to tap into our own rich reserves of key minerals in a safe and environmentally sound manner.

The United States is already considered a major mineral producing country and a net exporter of several mineral commodities, predominantly gold, as well as large quantities of iron ore, copper, phosphate rock and zinc. With increased utilization, these resources would play a vital role in helping grow our economy, strengthen U.S. industries and drive American innovation.

With smart policies that enable the efficient development of our country’s domestic mineral resources, U.S. mining can continue to supply the minerals Americans need to flourish and maintain a healthy standard of living.