Minerals Make Life

When the materials powering our national defense flow through adversary-controlled supply chains, that's a vulnerability we can't ignore. Meaningful permitting reform is how we rebuild domestic mineral production and reduce that risk.

NMA-TV Mining Minute 3-20-2026 The US is stepping up the pressure it is putting on Brazil to enter a minerals agreement. Watch for more.

America’s defense capabilities are only as strong as the supply chains behind them. With global tensions rising, ensuring reliable access to the minerals that power these systems starts with rebuilding domestic mining. For more: lasvegassun.com/news/2026/mar/…

America has the mineral resources to lead. What we lack is a permitting process that moves at the speed of global competition. At an average of 29 years, our permitting process is one of the largest obstacles to minerals security. Congress must act: ow.ly/Kr7M50YmuJQ

NMA-TV Mining Minute 3-19-2026 Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths announced that it has produced the first samarium oxide at its Malaysia processing plant, making it the only producer outside of China of this important rare earth required for vital defense technologies. Watch for more

The U.S. Forest Service completed the Southeast Arizona land exchange, advancing @RioTinto’s @ResolutionCu Mine project. One of the largest untapped copper resources in the country. The project could create nearly 1,500 jobs and help strengthen domestic copper supply. For more: rfdtv.com/usda-further-a…

America is stronger because of the contributions of women in the mining industry. Happy #WomensHistoryMonth to the women powering our mining progress. Celebrating your hard work and leadership this month and every month.

NMA-TV Mining Minute 3-18-2026 Looking at the markets ahead of remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on potential inflation risks driven by the Middle East conflict, gold prices are generally holding steady. Watch for more.

NMA-TV Mining Minute 3-17-2026 In good news for American copper production and American jobs, the Forest Service and Resolution Copper completed a land exchange required for its Resolution Copper project in AZ to proceed. Watch for more.

A major milestone for @RioTinto with the @ResolutionCu project in Arizona. The completion of a historic land exchange unlocks the next phase of development for one of the world’s largest untapped copper deposits, potentially supplying up to 25% of U.S. copper demand for decades. The project could add $1 billion annually to Arizona’s economy and support thousands of jobs. For more: riotinto.com/en/news/releas…

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo saw Lithium Americas exciting job creation in action when he toured the Thacker Pass lithium project, where approx 900 workers are already on site. Once operational, the project is expected to produce 40,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium annually, supporting quality jobs and local businesses.

Copper, it's what moves us. It powers our homes, connects our devices and supports the infrastructure behind modern life. @HudbayUS

America's mineral supply chains remain in focus on Capitol Hill. Tomorrow, the House @NatResources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing examining what it takes to secure our minerals future, with mineral experts from security, academic and industry backgrounds set to testify. Tune in at 10:15 AM EST: ow.ly/Qo7N50Yt2sA

NMA-TV Mining Minute 3-16-2026 The Department of Energy is providing $500 million in funding to expand domestic minerals processing and battery materials manufacturing and recycling. The funding opportunity was formally issued by the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation on Friday afternoon, and is looking to support demonstration and commercial-scale facilities that process or recycle critical materials used in batteries and energy technologies. New York-based Orion Resource Partners has raised $2.2 billion for a new fund dedicated to financing the construction and acquisition of mining projects. This fund is the firm’s largest in its history and potentially the largest of its kind. And Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths and the Pentagon reached a $96 million, four-year supply deal that includes a floor price for some key rare earths used in fighter jets, missile systems and other defense technologies. Lynas said its planned supply agreement with the Pentagon will help “support U.S. national security and supply chain resilience objectives.”

With global minerals demand expected to double by 2030, the United States is at an inflection point. We must continue to invest in our domestic supply chains to protect our nation’s safety and security: mineralsmakelife.org/blog/us-heavil…

All eyes remain on the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz. According to the International Energy Agency, the conflict has triggered the largest oil supply disruption in history. It’s also choking off a critical source of sulphur, used as a feedstock for sulphuric acid used in nickel, copper and other mineral supply chains.

Gold and silver play a critical role in modern economies. With 60% of silver demand tied to industrial uses like electronics and solar technologies, responsible mining is key to supporting innovation and reliable supply chains. For more: kitco.com/news/article/2…

The polling is clear: Americans know the importance of domestic minerals production. New data from the Harris Poll for @NationalMining shows the consensus is strong and growing. Now it’s time for policymakers to act: ow.ly/1FOz50YmtOp

NMA-TV Mining Minute 3-12-2026 Xcel Energy, Colorado’s largest electric utility, has submitted a filing to regulators indicating that it may need to keep specific coal plants online longer than planned to help address rising energy demands. Watch for more.

The vital @South_32 and @South32Hermosa Critical Minerals Project in Arizona, which will provide secure, domestic access to manganese and zinc, materials essential for modern technologies, moved closer to production after the Forest Service released its final environmental review.