US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at vastly increasing domestic mineral production. It identifies multiple federal agencies, from the Department of Defense to the Department of the Interior, and tasks them with fast-tracking crucial mining and mineral processing projects across the country.
“Our national and economic security are now acutely threatened by our reliance upon hostile foreign powers’ mineral production,” the order states, emphasizing Trump’s focus on “job creation and fueling prosperity.”
For decades, the US, once a leading producer of high-value minerals, has watched its market share slide under what the current administration calls “overbearing Federal regulation.”
The Trump administration’s plan seeks to cut through regulatory barriers, aiming to expedite approvals for new mines and processing facilities. Within ten days, federal agencies must provide a catalog of pending mineral projects to the newly formed National Energy Dominance Council. Projects deemed “priority” will then move to the front of the line, with swift permit approvals and streamlined pathways to begin mining operations.
The potential beneficiaries of this fast-tracking could include major US mining companies such as Freeport-McMoRan or Newmont Corporation, both of which have expressed interest in expanding domestic operations in past public statements.
The US International Development Finance Corporation and the Export-Import Bank are encouraged to collaborate with the Department of Defense to set up or expand funding streams earmarked for mineral exploration, processing, and industrial development.
The order also places special emphasis on updating the Mining Act of 1872, a move designed to remove confusion around environmental oversight for mine waste and tailings. While some environmental groups have voiced concerns that the government might be easing restrictions too aggressively, the administration insists these changes will maintain appropriate oversight and expedite projects that contribute to American self-sufficiency.
In another signal of how serious Washington has become about resource security, the Department of Defense is empowered to bolster the mineral supply chain through expanded funding and partnerships.
“To advance domestic mineral production, the Secretary of Defense may use authority under section 303 of the Defense Production Act,” the order notes, granting the Pentagon the ability to accelerate capital investments in mining projects. This includes establishing or supporting new mineral processing sites on federal lands, in coordination with the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior, and other agencies.
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