U.S. Minerals Mining Commitment to National Defense

In honor of Memorial Day this past weekend, the minerals mining industry is proud to serve those who serve us. Minerals are among the most important components that make up the technologies protecting our troops and safeguarding our nation. From jet engines and night-vision goggles to military aircrafts and armored vehicles, minerals are so critical to U.S. security that the U.S. Department of Defense uses 750,000 tons of minerals annually.

But despite having our own rich supply of mineral resources, the United States currently imports 80 percent of the minerals needed for many military technologies, creating an unnecessary dependence on foreign minerals. The longer the United States remains dependent on foreign minerals, the longer our national security remains vulnerable. In this video, Frank Gaffney, the founder and president of Center for Security Policy, emphasizes the risks of America’s reliance on foreign sources of minerals. Import dependence is a strategic threat and security vulnerability. 

A new, streamlined permitting policy is the answer. Currently, the mining permitting process can take up to 10 years in the United States. An updated and timely U.S. minerals mining policy would establish a stable supply of domestically-mined minerals would put our national security back into our hands.