President Trump proposes development of refining | Mining News

Analyst
Mar 11
2 min read

President Trump proposes development of refining – Mining News

US President Donald Trump plans to construct metallic refining plants on Pentagon bases to increase US manufacturing of key minerals and scale back reliance on China.

The transfer is an element of an government order Trump may signal as quickly as Wednesday, reported Reuters, citing sources.

Last week, he advised the US Congress he would “take historic action to dramatically expand production of critical minerals and rare earths here in the US”.

Under the directive, the Pentagon would collaborate with different federal businesses to set up processing services on its army bases.

The Pentagon controls about 30 million acres of land, which would supply space for refining services with no need to buy land or use land from different businesses.

While the plan might upset US miners, it may help handle considerations about China’s control over international metallic processing.

The minerals processed by Beijing are used to supply US army gear together with fighter jets, submarines, ammunition and different weaponry.

Utilising army bases for processing highlights the importance Trump attaches to critical minerals in relation to national security, the report mentioned.

Trump additionally intends to nominate a critical minerals czar, mirroring actions taken by earlier presidents to streamline Washington’s consideration on particular points.

The plans are nonetheless being debated and could also be subject to change earlier than Trump finalises and indicators the order, based on the report.

Some Trump officers had been involved China would possibly restrict exports of critical minerals because of Trump’s tariffs or for different causes.

Trump’s plan additionally goals to broaden the FAST-41 course of for mine permits, building on a transfer he made during his first time period.

South32’s Hermosa project in Arizona was fast-tracked by Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, changing into the primary mine to get this therapy.

Trump’s order may additionally reclassify mine waste on federal land, just like what different corporations have completed to reuse outdated waste rock.

This may make copper and different minerals cheaper and quicker to supply. It is unclear if Trump will declare copper a strategic mineral, which might give US miners a 10% tax credit.

Freeport, the largest US copper miner, hopes this transfer may put it aside $500m a yr.