“Minerals are the front end of the supply chain for national security,” says NMA

“This amendment is a step in the right direction and an acknowledgment that minerals are the front end of the supply chain for our national security,” said Hal Quinn, NMA President and CEO.

“Rep. Amodei’s (R-Nev.) defence supply chain minerals security amendment will help facilitate timely access to the vital resources that protect our men and women in uniform and our country.”

Today, less than half of the mineral needs of US manufacturing are met from domestically mined minerals, and we are 100% import-dependent for 20 key minerals, many of which are critical to national defence applications like night vision goggles, body armour and jet engines. Mine permitting delays that can last up to a decade keep these valuable resources locked underground. And this is a uniquely American problem. Countries such as Canada and Australia, which have environmental standards similar to the US, complete the process in two to three years.

This amendment will help minimise permitting delays, introduce formal review timelines and schedules for completing the permitting process, and track progress against those goals while maintaining environmental safeguards. It will provide a level of certainty that is required to ensure the US military has the materials it needs when it needs them.

The NDAA bill is expected to pass the House by the end of the week and will need to be conferenced with the Senate NDAA bill, which is also expected to be reported out of committee this week.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/24052018/minerals-are-the-front-end-of-the-supply-chain-for-national-security-says-nma/