The U.S. House of Representatives has approved H.R. 4090, known as the Critical Mineral Dominance Act. The bill was introduced by Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. Its goal is to strengthen domestic hardrock mining by making permanent several executive orders from former President Donald Trump that focused on increasing American mineral production.
House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) stated, “Securing our domestic critical mineral supply chains is a matter of national and economic security. Currently, our nation relies on China for our mineral needs while domestic mining is hindered by burdensome regulations. The Critical Mineral Dominance Act will make it easier to responsibly mine in America, creating jobs for American workers and ending our reliance on foreign sources of minerals. I thank Representative Stauber for his leadership on unleashing American mineral dominance.”
Subcommittee Chairman Pete Stauber said, “H.R. 4090 passing the House is a major step toward ensuring our domestic critical mineral dominance and breaking China’s control of global critical mineral supply chains. By codifying the Trump Administration’s executive orders into law, we will help ensure the United States is a place where we can mine, process, and refine the critical minerals needed to compete and win in the 21st Century, regardless of future administrations. I thank my colleagues for their support—this bill sets the stage for Senate action and a stronger, more self-reliant America.”
Hardrock minerals are considered important for U.S. national security and have uses in defense, aerospace, energy, and manufacturing sectors. At present, China controls about 60% of global production of these minerals, manages 90% of processing operations worldwide, and handles roughly 75% of manufacturing.
The legislation incorporates provisions from three executive orders: EO 14154 (“Unleashing American Energy”), EO 14241 (“Immediate Measures to Increase Mineral Production”), and EO 14272 (“Ensuring National Security and Economic Resilience Through Section 232 Actions on Processed Critical Minerals and Derivative Products”). These measures aim to encourage more mining activity within U.S. public lands.
Under H.R. 4090, the Department of the Interior would be required to review or reverse agency actions that restrict domestic mining activities; identify mines already permitted on public lands; locate areas with potential mineral resources; increase geological mapping efforts; and report back to Congress with an analysis of obstacles facing U.S.-based mining along with recommendations for legal changes.
A full text version of H.R. 4090 can be found at this link: Read the full text of the legislation here.
