How long does it take on average to open a new mineral or metal mine in the United States? 17 years.

China, the world’s largest economy and our biggest competitor, can open a mine and a mineral processing facility in less than half that time. That matters because minerals and metals are essential to the health of U.S. manufacturing, especially the auto industry, but also the entire free enterprise system. We live in a period of intense global trade competition at the same time as sagging public confidence in large segments of domestic industry. More than ever before, we need miners to put some muscle into the economy. The last thing we can afford is dependence on China and other countries for critically important minerals and metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earths.