Manufacturing Surge Drives Greater Mineral Demand

This week, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported that U.S. manufacturing has grown in August to its “highest level since March 2011.” Further, the U.S. construction industry has seen an increase in spending to hit an all-time high in more than five and a half years. A 3-year high in manufacturing coupled with a 5.5-year high in construction shows that the sector is expanding and seeing growth across the country.

More than ever, this is proving that “Made in America” is making a comeback as manufacturing jobs return to the U.S. This resurgence in manufacturing also means an increased dependence on mineral resources. The raw materials that support nearly every vertical within the manufacturing industry—from the automotive sector to construction to defense and high-technology—are intrinsically dependent on minerals, and by extension, minerals mining. For instance, iron ore is a critical component in the development of transportation, industrial equipment and building foundations, all of which fall under the manufacturing sector. Each and every day, mining and manufacturing together propel American innovation and help bring thousands of products to market.

As U.S. manufacturing continues to grow, there will be a critical need for a steady supply of U.S. sourced minerals. By streamlining the federal permitting process, new mining projects would be able to more efficiently come online, contribute to this domestic manufacturing renaissance and create desperately needed jobs in both industries – mining and manufacturing.

Learn more about the manufacturing sector’s comeback here.