How do you perceive the development of the mining industry in the USA today?
The importance of national and international mining in the U.S. today has bipartisan recognition and awareness and opportunity around mining have not been this robust since the Second World War. The main driver behind this trend is the electrification of the economy—whether it is the electric grid, automobiles, or homes. Forecasts concerning the need for battery-relevant metals, such as copper, nickel, lithium, and cobalt, are exponential. In fact, it looks like we are heading toward global shortages of some of these materials. There is clearly a disconnect between the availability of these metals and global electrification goals.
We have seen corresponding growth in exploration and in the number of junior miners in the U.S., which is exciting. From the environmental viewpoint, we see mining companies going back into their tailings to retrieve and handle their materials and waste appropriately—for these minerals, which is something we would not have contemplated 20 years ago.
We are actively reaching out to the next generation of miners, to address some of the misperceptions around the industry, to help articulate how great these jobs are for individuals, local communities and for the economy as a whole.
What are the National Mining Association’s main priorities and initiatives?
Our aim is to encourage and expand the mining industry in the U.S., specifically focusing on the permitting process. We have triggered some changes to the mine permitting processes—something we have been working on for decades.
A big issue we are experiencing is unfettered legal challenges setting virtually every mining project up for endless rounds of litigation. So, a priority of ours is to set time-limits to when mining projects can be challenged, and to urge those groups to raise demands that are specific to the project they challenge.
In the U.S., we meet and even exceed the highest standards in the world when it comes to environmental, labor and safety performance. Unfortunately, it takes seven to ten years to simply get a mine approved, which has a chilling effect on investment. Compare that with Australia and Canada, where the same process takes two to three years. Time and delay destroy capital and deter investment.
We have also seen bipartisan incentives for reshoring and investing in domestic minerals, including production. Provisions have passed, in the form of the infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act that are reshaping the industry. You now see companies like Tesla, GM and Ford investing all the way down to the mining operations—which would have been unheard of even five years ago. So, the capital flow into mining is sending market signals to potential investors across the globe. Now we just need to drive that deeper into the production side to get those mines up and running.
How do you see the current geopolitical scenario affecting the mining industry in the USA?
The Ukraine war was certainly a catalyst for near-shoring and re-shoring that had already begun during Covid-19. China, for its part, launched its minerals strategy more than 20-years ago, a head start that has allowed them to dominate 80%-90% of production and processing. So, we still have a long way to go to catch up.
How do you see technological innovation - in AI, electrification, remote sensing, drones - impacting the future of the mining industry?
We think it is fantastic because it will draw the next generation of workers into the industry. The progress being made by companies in incorporating new technological developments is really impressive. To illustrate, we have operators who are controlling dozers in Wyoming remotely from St. Louis—that is, operating machinery 1000 miles away in real time. Thanks to the advancements in AI and electrification, we are not far off from having mines without humans in them. And in terms of safety and maintenance, these advancements will also bring about an important evolution.
Next year in Las Vegas is MINExpo INTERNATIONAL®, the world’s largest mining show, which is run by the National Mining Association and will showcase the latest technological innovations in the industry .
How do you see the prospects of mine rejuvenation in the USA?
There is a lot of conversation about the long-term use of mine sites. The infrastructure is there, add to that the opportunities provided by technology, and you can go back into a shutdown mine, reprocess what remains, and create additional economic value. Another path is to follow through with our commitment to reclamation by returning the land to what it once was.
Why should a potential investor be excited to invest in mining in the USA?
The capital flows, investments and partnerships emerging from the US Congress and government are very attractive. Our industrial policy is outstripping what everyone else is trying to do. The EU and Canada are trying to catch up now. Additionally, the U.S. has been the safest political jurisdiction in the world for quite some time. And finally, our workforce is highly educated and well-trained.
Would you do it all over again?
Yes. I have always taken great pride in working for the mining industry, given its critical importance to the economy and to the building of communities. I also think it is crucial to defend our social license to operate as miners in the U.S.
