Report on Executive Order to Enhance Domestic Mineral Production in the United States

Introduction and Purpose

By the authority vested in the President of the United States, an executive order was issued on March 20, 2025, aiming to strengthen domestic mineral production. This initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

The United States holds vast mineral resources essential for job creation, economic prosperity, and reducing dependency on foreign nations. Minerals are critical for transportation, infrastructure, defense, and emerging technologies. The order addresses the decline in domestic mineral production due to regulatory challenges and national security concerns arising from reliance on hostile foreign powers.

Definitions

• Mineral: Includes critical minerals as defined by law, uranium, copper, potash, gold, and other elements as determined by the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC).
• Mineral Production: Encompasses mining, processing, refining, smelting, and production of processed critical minerals and derivative products.
• Processed Minerals: Minerals converted from ore to metal, metal powder, or master alloy.
• Derivative Products: Goods incorporating processed minerals, including semi-finished and final products such as semiconductor wafers, electric vehicles, batteries, and wind turbines.

Priority Projects and Permitting

1. Within 10 days, executive departments and agencies involved in mineral permitting must submit lists of all mineral production projects with pending applications to the Chair of the NEDC.
2. Priority projects for immediate approval or permit issuance will be identified and expedited.
3. Within 15 days, selected projects will be published on the Permitting Dashboard with schedules for expedited review.
4. The NEDC will solicit industry feedback on regulatory bottlenecks to enhance domestic mineral production.

Legislative Recommendations and Land Use

• Recommendations will be prepared within 30 days for Congress to clarify waste disposal regulations under the Mining Act of 1872.
• The Secretary of the Interior will identify federal lands with mineral deposits, prioritizing mineral production as the primary land use.
• Federal agencies will identify sites suitable for leasing or development for commercial mineral production, prioritizing those that can be quickly permitted and operational.
• Leases and agreements will be facilitated to advance commercial mineral production enterprises on federal lands.
• Coordination will ensure private parties can access favorable public assistance programs to support mineral production projects.

Accelerating Private and Public Capital Investment

1. The Secretary of Defense will utilize the National Security Capital Forum to connect private capital with viable domestic mineral projects.
2. Waivers and delegations under the Defense Production Act (DPA) will empower the Secretary of Defense and the CEO of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to advance strategic mineral production.
3. Agencies will rescind policies that hinder financing for vital mineral supply chains.
4. The DFC will develop a dedicated mineral production fund in coordination with the Department of Defense to support domestic investments.
5. The Export-Import Bank will provide program guidance to secure U.S. offtake of global raw mineral feedstock and support domestic production.
6. The Small Business Administration will propose legislation and regulations to enhance private-public capital support for small businesses in mineral production.

General Provisions

• The order respects existing legal authorities of executive departments and agencies.
• Implementation will comply with applicable laws and available appropriations.
• The order does not create enforceable rights or benefits against the United States or its entities.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: The order promotes job creation and economic growth through revitalized mineral production industries.
• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: By facilitating mineral supply chains critical for infrastructure and technology, the order supports sustainable industrialization and innovation.
• SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: Encouraging domestic production reduces environmental impacts associated with long supply chains and promotes responsible resource management.
• SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Enhancing national security through secure mineral supply chains contributes to peaceful and inclusive societies.

Conclusion

This executive order represents a comprehensive strategy to restore and expand the United States’ domestic mineral production capabilities. By addressing regulatory challenges, prioritizing land use, and accelerating investment, the order supports multiple Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring economic prosperity, innovation, and national security in a sustainable manner.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article emphasizes job creation and economic prosperity through domestic mineral production.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Focus on infrastructure, defense capabilities, and next-generation technology reliant on mineral supply.
   • Encouragement of industrial base development and investment in mineral production projects.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • References to mining, processing, refining, and smelting minerals imply sustainable production practices.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Land use planning and management for mineral projects on federal lands, including environmental considerations.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • Emphasis on regulatory frameworks, permitting processes, and legislative recommendations.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Collaboration between federal agencies, private sector, and financing institutions to advance mineral production.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 8
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation.
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.
2. SDG 9
   • Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and GDP.
   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.
3. SDG 12
   • Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • Target 12.4: Environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes throughout their life cycle.
4. SDG 15
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.
5. SDG 16
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making.
6. SDG 17
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Number of mineral production projects approved and expedited
   • Section 3 outlines identification and prioritization of mineral production projects for expedited permitting.
2. Volume and value of domestic mineral production
   • Emphasis on increasing domestic mineral output to reduce reliance on foreign sources.
3. Employment rates in mineral production sectors
   • Job creation is a stated purpose, implying tracking employment in mining and processing industries.
4. Investment levels in domestic mineral production
   • Sections 6(a), (d), and (e) discuss capital investment facilitation and establishment of dedicated funds.
5. Number of federal land sites designated and leased for mineral production
   • Section 5 details identification and leasing of federal lands for mineral projects.
6. Regulatory and permitting efficiency metrics
   • Efforts to expedite permitting and reduce regulatory bottlenecks imply measurement of processing times and approvals.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: whitehouse.gov