China Is Halting Critical Mineral Exports to the US. An Idaho Mine Could Help—If It Ever Secures Federal Permits.

The Chinese government has recently expanded its export ban on several minerals essential for military and energy technologies in the United States. This has brought attention to America’s need for domestic mineral supplies, many of which are caught in long federal permitting and regulatory processes. One project at an abandoned gold mine in Idaho has faced nearly 14 years of delays without starting production, despite containing large deposits of the rare mineral antimony, which has been targeted by China.

Perpetua Resources, the developer of the Stibnite gold mine, started initial studies and community engagement in 2010, yet it has encountered extensive permit filings and environmental reviews from multiple federal agencies. Industry experts argue that this lengthy process is costly and threatens national security, leading to calls for legislative reforms to streamline permitting procedures. Rich Nolan, CEO of the National Mining Association, emphasized the need for the U. S. to confront China's influence over global mineral supply chains and to produce vital minerals domestically.

Antimony serves important roles in defense and energy, being crucial for military supplies and electric vehicle batteries. The U. S. currently imports all its antimony, with more than half coming from China. Perpetua Resources estimates that the Stibnite mine could meet a significant portion of the nation’s antimony demand within its first years of operation, which is crucial for national defense.

The lengthy permitting process is often criticized for involving multiple federal agencies, which can increase delays. Perpetua’s representatives stress the importance of better communication and coordination among these agencies to improve efficiency without compromising environmental standards. The mining sector faces opposition from some Democratic leaders and environmental advocates who argue that mining can harm the environment and local ecosystems.

In recent years, the U. S. mining sector has struggled to keep up with global demand for essential minerals, producing only a small fraction of global supplies for critical metals like copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, and graphite. Representatives in Congress have noted that the current permitting process has been manipulated by activists against mining, risking U. S. economic and national security.

In light of China’s export restrictions, lawmakers are pushing for reforms to enable critical minerals projects, including potential measures incorporated in the National Defense Authorization Act. It requires the Pentagon to collaborate with various agencies for projects vital to military supply chains.

Rep. Pete Stauber emphasized the need for a sensible permitting system, suggesting that it should be effective while safeguarding environmental concerns. He believes that a streamlined process would allow important projects like the Stibnite mine to proceed without unnecessary bureaucratic delays.

Overall, the current state of the U. S. mineral security situation needs urgent attention to address dependency on foreign supplies and to ensure that domestic resources can be developed efficiently and responsibly. 

https://freebeacon.com/energy/china-is-halting-critical-mineral-exports-to-the-us-an-idaho-mine-could-help-if-it-ever-secures-federal-permits/