March 20, 2025 Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production - Executive Order
- Fact Seeker
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Purpose: This executive order directs immediate federal action to expand domestic mineral production in the United States. It cites national security, economic security, and technological competitiveness as primary drivers, emphasizing the need to reduce reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals essential to transportation, infrastructure, defense, and next-generation technologies.
Key Definitions:
“Mineral”: Includes critical minerals defined by 30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(3), uranium, copper, potash, gold, and others designated by the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC).
“Mineral production”: Encompasses mining, processing, refining, and smelting of minerals.
“Derivative products”: Goods incorporating processed minerals, such as batteries, electric vehicles, smartphones, and wind turbines.
Background Facts:
The U.S. was formerly the world’s largest producer of lucrative minerals.
Domestic mineral production has declined due to extensive federal regulations.
Reliance on foreign mineral production is viewed as a growing risk to U.S. national security and economic stability.
Executive Order 14156 (January 20, 2025) previously declared a national energy emergency, framing this order’s urgency.
Major Provisions:
Prioritizing Permitting for Mineral Projects:Within 10 days, agencies must submit lists of pending mineral project applications to the NEDC. Priority projects will be identified for expedited approval through the Permitting Dashboard established under Section 41003 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (Public Law 114-94, 129 Stat. 1748).
Land Use Adjustments for Mining:The Secretary of the Interior must identify federal lands with known mineral deposits and prioritize these for mineral production. Agencies will propose additional federal sites suitable for mining leases or development.
Expedited Capital Investment & Financial Support:Multiple actions are directed to accelerate private and public financing:
The Secretary of Defense will use the National Security Capital Forum to connect private capital with mineral projects.
Waivers issued under the Defense Production Act (50 U.S.C. 4533) enable immediate federal support for strategic mineral production.
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is delegated new loan and investment powers to support domestic mineral initiatives.
The Export-Import Bank and Small Business Administration will develop new financing tools and recommendations for legislative enhancements to support mineral production businesses.
Regulatory Reform Initiatives: Agencies must rescind any application disclosure requirements under Regulation S-K part 1300 for mineral project applicants seeking federal financial support, where permitted by law.
Modernizing the Mining Act of 1872:Within 30 days, recommendations for clarifying how waste rock and mine waste are treated under the Mining Act of 1872 will be submitted to the President.
Implementation:
The order mandates close coordination among the Secretaries of Defense, Interior, Energy, and Agriculture, along with other federal agency heads.
All actions are subject to existing law and available appropriations.
No new substantive or procedural rights are created by this order.
Supporting Authorities & References:
30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(3) — defines critical minerals.
Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (Public Law 114-94, 129 Stat. 1748) — established the Permitting Dashboard for infrastructure projects.
Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4533) — authorizes the President to prioritize domestic production of materials for national defense.
Executive Order 14156 (January 20, 2025) — declared a national energy emergency.
Mining Act of 1872 — governs mineral exploration and mining on federal lands.
10 U.S.C. 2667, 42 U.S.C. 7256 — authorizes leasing of federal property for commercial purposes.
Conclusion:
This Executive Order seeks to dramatically accelerate domestic mineral production by prioritizing federal permitting, repurposing federal lands, expediting capital investment, and revising regulatory policies. The administration frames this initiative as essential for economic resilience, national defense, and technological competitiveness in an increasingly contested global mineral market.
Writer's Note: Summary made with the use of AI tools for editing and quick processing, facts checked against the order before publishing.
Comments