How Much Do We Rely on Minerals?

You may not know it, but minerals are essential building blocks to our everyday lives. From the homes we live in and the cars we drive, to the technology that we use on a daily basis, minerals are a vital and irreplaceable resource that we rely on daily.

For example, did you know that platinum is a critical component in electronic devices like personal computers? Or that copper is utilized in advanced energy sources like solar panels, rechargeable batteries and wind turbines. And that titanium, lithium, silver and gold are used in life-saving medical technologies like CAT scan devices and pacemakers?

With more than $6.2 trillion worth of mineral reserves in the U.S., we have the capability to source a vast majority of our mineral demands here at home. However, as the video below points out, an inefficient permitting process that can take up to 10 years forces American manufacturers to import more than half of the minerals that they need. By hindering mining companies’ ability to extract these resources to their full potential, the government is hindering job growth, economic expansion and security. 

Do you agree that it’s time Washington takes our mineral supply seriously? Share the video below with your family and friends to spread the word.