Is Trump Going to Waive Environmental Rules for Mine Projects?
Advisers for President-elect Donald Trump are pushing to bypass environmental reviews for critical minerals mining projects that receive federal funding, according to a document reviewed by Reuters.
The proposal targets the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a landmark 1970 law that mandates federal reviews for major projects on public lands. Waiving these requirements could accelerate production of materials needed for electric vehicles, electronics, and weapons, as the US seeks to compete with China’s dominance in critical minerals.
Trump hasn’t discussed his stance on the issue, and the recommendations come from “outsiders who have no role in charting administration policy,” said Jason Miller, a senior adviser for the transition.
The recommendations come as several major mining projects from companies including Rio Tinto, BHP, Antofagasta, and Perpetua Resources have remained in regulatory review for over a decade. During Trump’s previous term, his administration capped NEPA reviews at 300 pages and shortened timelines — measures later reversed under President Biden.
Environmental groups defend NEPA as crucial for ensuring public input and consideration of climate impacts when federal lands are developed. They have raised concerns about federal grants and loans effectively pre-approving mines before environmental reviews are complete.
While Trump has suggested imposing broad tariffs on battery materials with ally exemptions, some mining executives prefer reforming the permit process instead. One executive described the tariff approach as a “sledgehammer” solution to trade issues.
Unlike oil companies, mining firms extract metals from federal lands without paying royalties, under provisions dating back to the General Mining Law of 1872.
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