The National Mining Association (NMA) has applauded legislation re-introduced by Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) mandating an overhaul of the mining permitting process in the U.S. NMA CEO Hal Quinn said the “National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013,” which enjoys bipartisan support, “addresses a key issue for the country’s future economic growth and manufacturing revival.”
Given America’s vast mineral wealth, key for basic industries, “we are burdened by a painfully slow permitting process,” amid an accelerating global economy, as U.S. dependence on foreign minerals has doubled in the past two decades. Meanwhile, “less than half the mineral needs of U.S. manufacturing are met from domestically mined minerals—a trend that will only worsen unless we reform the permitting process responsible for it,” said Quinn.
The Amodei legislation streamlines permit reviews, while incorporating best practices for coordination between state and federal agencies.
Based in Washington, D.C., the NMA represents more than 325 corporations involved in all aspects of coal and solid minerals production including coal, metal and industrial mineral producers, mineral processors, equipment manufacturers, state mining associations, consultants, financial institutions and other companies supplying goods and services to the mining industry.
