The Chinese government yesterday announced the discovery of 38 new sites of mineral reserves this year, adding to its already rich mineral reserve, which gives the country huge leverage in global trade and relations. The sites reportedly include large and medium-sized deposits of everything from uranium to cobalt. The announcement is a clear sign from China that, despite international efforts to shore up alternate mineral supply chains, China has no intention of giving up its global mineral dominance anytime soon.
In meetings in Washington this week, President Trump hailed West Africa's rich natural resources as he hosted five of its leaders for a White House summit to discuss trade that will counter Russia and China's longstanding influence, particularly in minerals. Ahead of the meeting, Trump said, ""There's great economic potential in Africa, like few other places, in many ways…" He highlighted the continent's "vibrant places, very valuable lands, great minerals, great oil deposits." The meetings underscore the importance of minerals to the administration's international trade strategy.
And yesterday we reported on efforts by North Dakota lawmakers to use a Congressional Review Act resolution to kill a Biden-era land use land that would block coal leasing on federal lands. Well, yesterday afternoon, Montana lawmakers jumped in with their own legislation to kill a similar plan impacting Montana. Republican lawmakers have said they are eager to put the CRA resolutions on the floor for a vote. "One way or another, we'll get rid of this RMP," said Sen. Kevin Cramer, who led the North Dakota delegation on the matter.
That's your mining minute for this morning, highlighting some of the mining-related matters that are on our minds here in Washington and beyond. Follow us on the National Mining Association's channels, as well as on Minerals Make Life and Count on Coal, for more on the latest news and policies impacting mining.
