Congress Considers Action on Rare Earths
In response to China’s announcement that it will cut export quotas for rare earth minerals by more than 70%, Congress is looking for ways to enhance domestic supply. Swift action is prudent: China supplied an estimated 97% of the world’s rare earths in 2009, and these minerals are necessary components of our cell phones, medical devices, and renewable energy technology.
Fortunately, according to testimony from Dan Sullivan, Commissioner of Alaska’s Department of Natural resources, the U.S. has the capacity to increase mining of these valuable minerals, citing Alaska as an example of a state with vast untapped resources:
[Alaska] is thought to contain at least 70 known areas with documented potential to host [rare earth elements] deposits and over 40 million acres of high mineral potential lands.
Increased mining also has the potential to create lucrative domestic jobs while enhancing our national security. Rare earths are a core component of modern products, and it is important that we secure a safe and abundant supply.
Still, concerns remain to be addressed before the United States can effectively exploit domestic resources. For one, the permitting system for mining is inefficient, and can take up to ten years to complete. For this reason, it is uneconomical to mine in the U.S. However, before the process can be simplified, stringent health and safety concerns must be thoroughly addressed. Furthermore, the U.S. does not currently possess the trained workforce necessary to exploit the domestic mineral supply. Therefore, any effort to increase production must include a workforce assessment and training component, which serves to increase costs.
For these reasons, Steven Duclos of GE, representing the National Association of Manufacturers, recognizes that manufacturers should be working to use rare earths in the most efficient manner possible, in addition to increased recycling efforts to ensure the longest possible working life for the elements.
Congressional hearings and potential action on rare earths minerals are an encouraging first step toward finding a response to our mineral dependency. With proper collaboration between government and private enterprise, action on rare earths has the potential to promote economic growth while enhancing national security.
