Minerals are part of virtually all the products we use every day, acting as the raw materials for manufacturing processes or as the end products themselves. Not surprisingly, minerals also are used in the energy generation that we rely on every day. Emerging energy technologies like wind, solar and nuclear heavily rely on minerals to
Minerals Make Life
Uranium – A little element with a lot of power
By Mike Mills & Eric Skanchy on
Posted in Mining
Minerals Make Life – an initiative created by the National Mining Association – has recently developed an infographic summarizing the many benefits of uranium.
Uranium is found in many areas of the United States. In fact, uranium is more common than tin, about 40 times more common than silver and 500 times more common than …
Molybdenum: An Essential Element in America’s Future
By Mike Mills & Eric Skanchy on
Posted in Mining, Permitting
Minerals Make Life – an initiative created by the National Mining Association – has recently developed an infographic detailing the importance of the super element molybdenum. Few elements have a higher melting point than molybdenum, making it an extremely tough metal.
A small amount of molybdenum in a product can make a significant contribution to…
The Silver Lining of America’s Economy
By Mike Mills & Eric Skanchy on
Posted in Mining
Minerals Make Life – an initiative created by the National Mining Association – has recently developed an informative infographic on the important role silver plays in our society. Out of all metals, silver is unique in that it has the highest electrical and thermal conductively. These characteristics make silver an important ingredient in products we…
U.S. House Hearing Supports Legislation for Development of Domestic Minerals (H.R. 761)
By Mike Mills on
Posted in Mining
On Wednesday, July 23, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing, titled “American Metals and Mineral Security: An examination of the domestic critical minerals supply and demand chain.” During the hearing, a panel of witnesses spoke on the benefits of securing a supply of minerals through domestic mining. This panel included representatives from GE Global Research and the National Defense Industrial Association, among others.
The hearing demonstrated support for H.R. 761, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act. H.R. 761 passed the House (246-178) on September 18, 2013, and is awaiting Senate approval. The purpose is to “more efficiently develop domestic sources of the minerals and mineral materials of strategic and critical importance to United States.” Key sections of H.R. 761 introduce mandates for streamlining the permitting process for mineral development and limits the permitting review period to 30 months. Continue Reading U.S. House Hearing Supports Legislation for Development of Domestic Minerals (H.R. 761)
A Resurgence in U.S. Manufacturing Requires a Sensible Mining Permitting Process
By Mike Mills on
Posted in Mining, Permitting
A new short video found at the website for Minerals Make Life – a National Mining Association initiative – illuminates the close ties between the widespread resurgence of manufacturing in the United States and the need for stable access to mineral resources. As manufacturing experiences a resurgence in the United States, an expected 2 to…