Finalized USGS Critical Minerals List Another Corporate Giveaway
Earthjustice Action slams flawed addition of new minerals that will open more projects to expedited permitting and new taxpayer funds.
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the U.S. Geologic Survey published an updated List of Critical Minerals set to be finalized tomorrow. The finalized list includes the additions of metallurgical coal, uranium, copper, silver, lead, and potash. Projects for USGS-designated critical minerals get access to the expedited FAST-41 permitting process and may be eligible for federal loan and financing opportunities under President Trump’s big, ugly bill.
Critical minerals are required under the Energy Act of 2020 to meet certain criteria for inclusion on the list. This includes being non-fuel, having a supply chain that is vulnerable to disruption, and being essential to economic or national security. Metallurgical coal, uranium, copper, and other new additions to the list do not meet these criteria.
After the announcement, Earthjustice Action Associate Legislative Representative Cameron Walkup issued the following statement:
“Even in the middle of the longest government shutdown in history, the Trump Administration can’t stop giving favors to polluting industries. By deeming controversial minerals like metallurgical coal, uranium, copper, and others as ‘critical minerals,’ USGS is ignoring basic economics, violating the law, and opening the door for federal agencies to quickly rubber-stamp large polluting projects with insufficient guardrails in place to protect communities, ecosystems, and Indigenous sacred sites. Instead of prioritizing corporate profits, we should focus on real solutions to meet our mineral supply chain needs by rapidly scaling-up reuse and responsible recycling of critical minerals and updating our mining laws to meet modern environmental and public health standards.”
Earthjustice and Earthjustice Action joined advocates in submitting comments opposing the inclusion of metallurgical coal and other minerals on the list.