Today, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the Department of the Interior (DOI) released its 2017 Critical Minerals Report. Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement:

“A country blessed with abundant mineral resources shouldn’t be mineral-dependent and vulnerable. This is an economic and security threat that’s festered across administrations for too long. I look forward to continuing our work with the Trump administration to unlock our domestic mineral potential and reverse this disturbing trend.”

Background:

USGS's report provides information on the geology and resources of 23 mineral commodities deemed critical to the economy and security of the United States, and details the extent to which the United States is fully, majorly, or partially dependent upon foreign competitors and even adversaries for our supply.

Despite the domestic availability of many needed raw materials, the nation’s dependence on non-fuel mineral materials has more than doubled from 30 to 64 commodities since 1986. Today, less than half of minerals are sourced domestically.

Click here to view the report.