Minerals Make Life Takes On the Issues

By Hal Quinn, President and CEO, National Mining Association

Momentum continues to build around the national minerals conversation. Minerals mining was highlighted in the Bureau of Labor Statistics recent report as a jobs engine in recessionary times. New legislation in both the House and the Senate focuses on providing a stable supply of domestic minerals to meet our nation’s innovative technology and manufacturing needs. These were just two of the key topics at a convergence of business, policy and thought leaders in Washington, D.C., for an in-depth discussion on American minerals mining.

At the “Addressing America’s 21st Century Minerals Needs” executive forum, hosted by the Financial Times and NMA, I joined a panel of experts for a conversation on today’s most pressing minerals supply issues, including the United States’ increasing reliance on mineral imports and the implications of that trend. An executive summary of the event, as well as video excerpts from our discussions on national security and economic growth, can be found here on mineralsmakelife.org.

As we continue to raise the profile of important minerals mining issues, everyday Americans, opinion leaders and policymakers are finding common ground as they recognize the critical need for a national minerals policy. Bills by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) address this need, and with your support, we’ll move even closer to realizing America’s minerals mining potential.