New Initiative Aims to Bolster U.S. Economy, Security by Tapping Overlooked Resources
The Department of the Interior, under Secretary Doug Burgum, launched a bold initiative to extract critical minerals like zinc, germanium, and rare earth elements from mine waste, coal refuse, and abandoned uranium mines, aiming to secure U.S. supply chains vital for technology and defense.
Driven by President Trump’s executive order, the plan streamlines regulations, unlocks federal funding, and leverages U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) research identifying rich mineral deposits in sites like Oklahoma’s Tar Creek and Utah’s Bingham Canyon.
Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene holds $2.5 billion in minerals, while Appalachian coal deposits yield rare earths for electric vehicles and military tech.
This dual-purpose strategy transforms environmental liabilities into economic assets, funding cleanups while reducing reliance on foreign minerals.
“This is about mineral independence and turning challenges into opportunities,” Burgum said, signaling a major step toward economic and national security.
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