Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production
March 20, 2025
Action Summary
- Purpose: Enhance domestic mineral production to create jobs, fuel prosperity, and reduce reliance on foreign mineral supplies. Emphasis on national security and economic stability amid overbearing federal regulations that have reduced U.S. production.
- Definitions:
- Mineral: Includes critical minerals, uranium, copper, potash, gold, and others designated by the National Energy Dominance Council.
- Mineral production: Encompasses mining, processing, refining, smelting, and production of derivative products.
- Processed minerals & Derivative products: Activities post-extraction converting ores into metal forms and manufactured goods (e.g., semiconductor wafers, electric vehicles, batteries).
- Priority Projects:
- Within 10 days, agency heads must provide lists of pending mineral projects for expedited permitting.
- Identification and publication of priority and transparency projects via the Permitting Dashboard within 15 days.
- Request for industry feedback on regulatory bottlenecks to accelerate domestic production.
- Mining Act Review: Submit recommendations within 30 days to clarify treatment of waste rock, tailings, and mine waste disposal under the Mining Act of 1872.
- Federal Land Use:
- The Secretary of the Interior must identify Federal lands with mineral deposits within 10 days and prioritize them for mining.
- Defense, Interior, Agriculture, and Energy secretaries to identify suitable sites for leasing or development within 30 days, emphasizing swift permitting and operational readiness.
- Utilization of extended use leases and coordination for favorable public assistance terms with private entities developing commercial mineral production enterprises.
- Accelerating Capital Investment:
- The Secretary of Defense will leverage the National Security Capital Forum to match private capital with viable projects, using delegated Defense Production Act authority.
- Delegation of further DPA authority to the CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to support domestic mineral production through loans, guarantees, and other financial tools.
- Development of a dedicated mineral production fund and coordination with various agencies (including Export-Import Bank and Small Business Administration) to enhance private-public financing mechanisms.
- General Provisions: The order is subject to applicable law and appropriations, ensuring that agency authorities and budgetary functions are not impaired, and does not create enforceable legal rights for any parties.
Risks & Considerations
- The Executive Order aims to increase domestic mineral production, which could lead to environmental and regulatory challenges. Vanderbilt University may need to consider the potential impact on research areas related to environmental science and policy.
- There is a risk that the focus on mineral production could lead to conflicts over land use, particularly on federal lands. This may affect research and educational programs that rely on these lands for field studies and data collection.
- The emphasis on expediting permits and approvals for mineral projects could lead to reduced oversight and potential environmental degradation, which may conflict with sustainability goals and initiatives at the university.
- Vanderbilt University may need to assess how changes in mineral production policies could impact its partnerships with industries reliant on minerals, such as technology and manufacturing sectors.
Impacted Programs
- School of Engineering at Vanderbilt may see increased opportunities for research and development in mineral processing technologies and sustainable mining practices.
- Vanderbilt Law School could experience heightened demand for expertise in environmental law and policy, particularly in relation to the Mining Act of 1872 and land use regulations.
- The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences might need to adjust its curriculum and research focus to address the implications of increased mineral production on ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Sustainability may need to engage in advocacy and policy discussions to ensure that environmental considerations are integrated into mineral production strategies.
Financial Impact
- The reallocation of federal resources towards mineral production could impact funding opportunities for environmental and sustainability research at Vanderbilt.
- Vanderbilt University might find new funding opportunities in research and development projects related to mineral production technologies and sustainable practices.
- There may be potential for increased collaboration with federal agencies and private sector partners involved in mineral production, which could lead to new research grants and contracts.
- Changes in the mineral supply chain could affect the cost and availability of materials used in research and development at Vanderbilt, necessitating adjustments in budgeting and procurement strategies.
Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks typically involving compliance or ethics, particularly in environmental and regulatory areas.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering should explore research opportunities in mineral processing and refining technologies. By aligning with national priorities on mineral production, the school can secure funding and partnerships for innovative projects that enhance domestic mineral supply chains.
- The Office of Federal Relations should monitor developments in federal land use policies and mineral production projects. Engaging with policymakers and industry leaders can position Vanderbilt to influence and benefit from new initiatives in mineral production and related research.
- Vanderbilt’s Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization should assess potential collaborations with private entities involved in mineral production. By facilitating technology transfer and commercialization of research, the center can contribute to the advancement of mineral production technologies.
- The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences should consider expanding its curriculum and research focus to include critical mineral resources and their environmental impacts. This can attract students and researchers interested in contributing to sustainable mineral production solutions.
Opportunities
- The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Research Centers to engage in interdisciplinary projects focused on mineral production and its applications in technology and defense. By leveraging expertise across departments, Vanderbilt can contribute to national security and technological advancements.
- Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on domestic mineral production by developing partnerships with federal agencies and industry leaders. This could include joint research initiatives, internships, and collaborative projects that enhance Vanderbilt’s reputation and impact in the field of mineral resources.
- The emphasis on accelerating private and public capital investment offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Business School to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. By providing insights into investment strategies and economic impacts, the school can influence how capital is allocated to support mineral production and innovation.
- The order’s focus on enhancing small business engagement in mineral production aligns with Vanderbilt’s commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation. The university can develop targeted programs and support services for startups and small businesses in the mineral sector, fostering economic growth and job creation.
Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to opportunities in research, partnerships, and curriculum development.)
Timeline for Implementation
- 10 days: Within 10 days of the order, agency heads must submit lists of mineral production projects (Section 3(a)) and the Secretary of the Interior must provide a list of Federal lands with mineral deposits (Section 5(a)).
- 15 days: Within 15 days, the Chair of the NEDC is required to submit mineral production projects for transparency (Section 3(b)).
- 30 days: A number of directives must be met within 30 days, including recommendations regarding the Mining Act of 1872 (Section 4), identification of potential mineral sites by multiple Secretaries (Section 5(b) and 5(d)), and several initiatives under Section 6 (6(b), 6(e), 6(f), and 6(g)).
- 45 days: The Administrator of the Small Business Administration is to prepare and submit recommendations to support domestic mineral financing (Section 6(h)).
Urgency: The shortest timeline, 10 days, requires an urgent response.
Relevance Score: 5
Impacted Government Organizations
- National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC): The Chair of the NEDC is central to coordinating project lists, priority reviews, and regulatory feedback related to mineral production.
- Executive Departments and Agencies Involved in Permitting: All executive departments and agencies responsible for permitting mineral production must identify and expedite priority projects.
- Permitting Council: The Executive Director of the Permitting Council (as established under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act) is tasked with maintaining transparency projects via the Permitting Dashboard.
- Department of the Interior: Responsible for identifying Federal lands with mineral deposits and amending land use plans to prioritize mining and related purposes.
- Department of Defense: Charged with coordinating expedited permits, utilizing the National Security Capital Forum, executing extended use leases, and adding mineral production as a priority capability.
- Department of Agriculture: Tasked with identifying suitable Federal land sites for leasing or development for mineral projects.
- Department of Energy: Works alongside the Department of Defense and Interior in identifying sites and facilitating leases for domestic mineral production enterprises.
- Assistant to the President for Economic Policy: Receives and coordinates lists of Federal lands and project approvals as part of the administration’s economic response.
- Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs: Collaborates in receiving lists and approving priority projects and funds related to bolstering the domestic mineral supply chain.
- Small Business Administration (SBA): Instructed to prepare recommendations on legislation and regulations to enhance private-public capital activities supporting domestic mineral production.
- United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC): The CEO is delegated loan and investment authorities to advance domestic mineral production using tools from the Defense Production Act and other mechanisms.
- Export-Import Bank: The President of the Export-Import Bank must release guidance on financing tools for securing the domestic offtake of mineral feedstock.
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB): The Director of OMB, along with the DFC, is involved in establishing rules and reimbursement processes related to the implementation of this order.
- Office of Legislative Affairs: Its Director works with the Chair of the NEDC to prepare recommendations regarding clarifications to the Mining Act of 1872.
Relevance Score: 4 (The order impacts 11-15 distinct Federal agencies, departments, and key White House advisors.)
Responsible Officials
- Head of Each Executive Department and Agency – Tasked with submitting lists of mineral production projects and identifying priority projects for expedited permitting (Sec. 3).
- Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC) – Responsible for defining what qualifies as a “mineral,” identifying and prioritizing projects, and consulting with relevant agencies regarding regulatory bottlenecks (Secs. 2, 3, and 6).
- Executive Director of the Permitting Council – Charged with publishing selected projects and establishing schedules for expedited review on the Permitting Dashboard (Sec. 3(b)).
- Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs – Collaborates with the NEDC Chair to prepare recommendations to Congress on clarifying the Mining Act of 1872 (Sec. 4).
- Secretary of the Interior – Must identify Federal lands with mineral deposits, revise land use plans, and coordinate the identification of suitable leasing sites for commercial mineral production (Sec. 5(a) and 5(b)).
- Secretary of Defense – Plays a central role in coordinating permitting, entering into extended use leases for mineral projects, facilitating capital investment through the National Security Capital Forum, and exercising delegated authority under the Defense Production Act (Secs. 5(b), 5(c), 6(a), 6(b), 6(e), and 6(g)).
- Secretary of Agriculture – Involved in identifying and listing Federal sites suitable for leasing for mineral production (Sec. 5(b) and 5(d)).
- Secretary of Energy – Works alongside other Cabinet officials to identify leasing sites on Federal lands and coordinate extended use leases (Sec. 5(b), 5(c), and 6(b)).
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) – Delegated authority to implement key provisions of the Defense Production Act for mineral production and, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and others, to develop a dedicated investment fund (Sec. 6(d) and 6(e)).
- President of the Export-Import Bank – Charged with issuing program guidance for financing tools to secure domestic mineral processing and support mineral production (Sec. 6(f)).
- Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy – Responsible for convening mineral buyers to coordinate requests for bids (Sec. 6(g)).
- Administrator of the Small Business Administration – Tasked with preparing legislative and regulatory recommendations to promote private-public capital activities supporting domestic mineral production (Sec. 6(h)).
Relevance Score: 5 (Directives impact multiple Cabinet-level officials and high-level agencies critical to national security, economic policy, and legislative action.)