McSally’s bipartisan bill would bolster nation’s mineral resources supply

U.S. Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) on May 2 offered a bipartisan bill to increase the availability, development and environmentally responsible production of domestic mineral resources.

Sen. McSally cosponsored the American Mineral Security Act, S. 1317, with U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) to begin reducing the United States’ dependence on foreign minerals.

“Mining and mineral production is central to Arizona’s economy and identity,” Sen. McSally said on Monday. “The bipartisan American Mineral Security Act will modernize our nation’s approach to critical mineral procurement to boost U.S. production, create jobs and improve our national security — all while maintaining strong environmental protections.”

If enacted, S. 1317 would codify the nation’s current methodology used to list critical minerals and would require that the list to be updated at least every three years. Nationwide resource assessments for every critical mineral also would be required under the bill, according to a summary provided by Sen. McSally’s staff.

Among other provisions, S. 1317 also would reform the permitting processes at the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service to reduce delays, according to the summary.

Additionally, the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program would be reauthorized for 10 years under S. 1317, which also would authorize research and development for recycling and replacements of critical minerals, the summary says.

Sen. McSally cited information from the U.S. Geological Survey showing that the United States in 2018 imported at least 50 percent of 48 minerals, including 100 percent of the nation’s supply of rare earth elements, graphite and indium.  

S. 1317 has been referred for review to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.