Our Recent Trip to DC Seeking Regulatory Relief for Miners
January 18, 2019
Trying to get the next issue (February 2019) to press so I haven't had much time to report on our efforts in Washington, DC. Clark Pearson of Public Lands for the People and I spent another week in DC in early January, trying to get regulatory certainty and regulatory relief for miners.
What started out as a frustrating experience ended in a very rewarding trip after we met with some very well connected people on our last day who share the same goals.
Spent the first few days back home talking with a retired Brigadier General, a former USGS deputy director, and a retired Armed Forces acquisitions director for the war in Iraq. It turns out the regulatory reforms we have been advocating will also solve many of the issues related to America's non-existent critical minerals supply.
China has a monopoly on critical minerals and rare earths mining, refining and production, which are required for America's national security, including radar and guidance systems, Tomahawk missiles, F-15 and F-35 fighters, etc. It's not a pretty picture.
These folks are assisting us now to get in-person meetings with Senators and members of the Trump administration, bypassing low-level staffers.
Due to these latest developments and endorsements from some "big guns" in DC, Clark and I will be returning in just a few weeks. You'll see a full write-up on these developments in our February 2019 issue.
In the meantime, if you want to find out how vulnerable America has become because our legislators have ignored the critical minerals shortfall, get a copy of "Groundbreaking! America's New Quest for Mineral Independence." This book has only been out a few months--I read it on my flight into DC. I think you'll agree there is an urgency to get mining jump-started in America.
--Scott Harn, Editor/Publisher, ICMJs Prospecting and Mining Journal