US Politicians Bury Hatchet to Introduce Critical Minerals Bill

Congressional Democrats and Republicans, along with 17 Senators, put aside recent differences on Tuesday in order to pass legislation aimed at facilitating the growth of a critical minerals industry and to prevent future supply shocks, Mineweb reported.

As quoted in the market news:

The bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to maintain a list of minerals and elements designated as critical, but no more than 20 minerals and elements can be designated at any given time. It would amend the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 to establish an analytical and forecasting capability for identifying critical mineral demand, supply and other market dynamics relevant to policy formulation to allow informed actions to be taken to avoid supply shortages, mitigate price volatility, and prepare for demand growth and other market shifts.

The measure also encourages federal agencies “to facilitate the availability, development, and environmentally responsible production of domestic resources to meet national critical material or mineral needs.”

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