House of Representatives passes H.R. 761

On Wednesday, Sept.18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 761, the “National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013.”

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), would streamline the U.S. permitting system for mining, helping to reverse a 30-year trend of increasing import reliance for minerals we have here at home.

“This bi-partisan legislation carefully and credibly addresses the shortcomings of our outdated and underperforming permitting system within the framework of the environmental and other protections provided by current laws and regulations,” said National Mining Association President and CEO Hal Quinn.

Without a stable supply of minerals, the United States is becoming increasingly reliant on other countries for the minerals essential to domestic industries and national security. In fact, we are currently 100 percent dependent on foreign imports for 18 different minerals and more than 50 percent import-dependent for an additional 43 mineral commodities.

NMA urges the Senate follow the House’s lead and to vote in favor of economic prosperity and national security.

The passage by the House is encouraging, and if approved by the Senate, H.R. 761 would set the framework of efficient, timely and thorough permit reviews needed to sustain and secure and reliable domestic mineral supply chain.