The Bedrock of Manufacturing: Mining

Yesterday, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) wrapped its State of Manufacturing Tour, in which NAM’s president and CEO Jay Timmons embarked on a 10-stop tour crisscrossing the country and showed—once again—why manufacturing drives American jobs and the economy.

“Manufacturing has a disproportionate responsibility to keep our economy humming,” said NAM’s President and CEO Jay Timmons.

But we must not forget that the bedrock of manufacturing is minerals mining. From lifesaving medical devices to hybrid cars and advanced energy technologies, minerals and metals are essential, irreplaceable components of modern technology and manufacturing processes. In fact, studies show that a large majority of U.S. manufacturing executives are concerned about  reliable access to valuable minerals and metals.  However, with increased access to America’s $6.2 trillion worth of mineral reserves  domestic manufacturers could get more of the materials they need without being subject to complicated and expensive supply chains.

Rep. Mark Amodei’s (R-Nev.) “National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013,” which was passed three times by the House of Representatives in 2013, would streamline the permitting process for new mines, thereby fostering timely access to vital domestic minerals and metals. It’s time for the Senate to take similar and meaningful action on reworking this outdated regulatory process and advancing policies that benefit the American economy.

We need more voices to speak in support of this critical legislation. Speak up here to put America’s future back into its own hands.