Let’s put an end to heavy U.S. dependence on foreign supplies of strategically imported minerals. Effective action on minerals is long overdue. Reversing our growing reliance on imports, many from geopolitical rivals, starts with commonsense reform to the permitting process for American mining companies.
For years, U.S. manufacturers were content to rely on other countries for minerals. Reducing imports wasn’t worth the trouble since other countries were dependable suppliers. But given the increasing willingness of China and Russia to use economic and military pressure for political ends, dependence on imports for critically important minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and vanadium is getting riskier by the day. These minerals are needed for weapons systems and high-tech products such as storage batteries and electronic devices.
