Published
May 14, 2025
Over the past month, the Administration has moved to strengthen the domestic minerals supply chain by advancing permitting for the Resolution Copper Mine in Arizona and authorizing the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council to steer twenty mining projects through the permitting process.
We applaud these decisive actions, which align with our long-standing mission to bolster mineral and energy security by streamlining the permitting process and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
At the Chamber’s 2025 Critical Minerals Summit, industry leaders and policymakers underscored America's competitive advantage in developing critical minerals, highlighting our skilled labor force, robust environmental protections, and strong community engagement.
Permitting delays and investment challenges, however, are hindering our ability to fully develop these valuable domestic resources.
Did you know? American mines operate under the highest labor and environmental standards in the world, leading foreign governments to seek partnerships with American companies to operate safely, as Mahnaz Khan, from the Silverado Policy Accelerator, said.
Why it matters: These standards won’t be enough for American mining to prevail against China’s mineral dominance.
On the record: Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA): “If we can’t produce, then we are not going to be where we need to be, economically speaking, and we won’t be well positioned in the world’s economy”.
Permitting Roadblocks Remain
By the numbers: Permitting a mine in the U.S. currently takes a minimum of 13 years, even for exploration projects not located on federal lands. One positive development to help speed the process is the President’s recent executive order, but congressional action would provide even greater certainty and durability. At the Summit, Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) called on his fellow policymakers to approve as many permitting reform bills as possible.
And: Alex Herrgott from the Permitting Institute explained: “Otherwise, the private operations in the United States, regardless of federal support, will go elsewhere.”
Facilitating investment is also crucial to unleashing American energy and mineral resources. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt of McLarty Associates underlined the inadequate yet persistent strategy of concentrating funding in certain strategic minerals projects, instead of creating sustainable policies that would automatically direct funds into strategic projects.
Looking ahead, targeted government incentives and public-private partnerships can drive strategic investments.
The Bottom Line
With the right policies, the U.S. can build a thriving domestic mining capacity that reduces our dependence on China, lowers costs for U.S. manufacturers, and enhances our global competitiveness.
About the author
Ruth Demeter
Ruth Demeter is the Senior Director for Policy at the Global Energy Institute.
