Hickenlooper, Tillis Reintroduce Bill to Boost Critical Mineral Innovation, Secure American Leadership

Unearth Innovation Act would create a Department of Energy program to drive responsible domestic critical mineral production, develop our energy workforce
WASHINGTON –
Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Thom Tillis reintroduced their bipartisan
Unearth Innovation Act
to spur American innovation and drive responsible production of domestic critical minerals with less environmental impact.
“We need critical minerals for our clean energy future and national security, but we can’t rely on China or others for them,”
said Hickenlooper.
“U.S. research and innovation will set a global example for critical minerals sourcing and help develop our energy workforce of tomorrow.”
“This legislation promotes innovative technologies that will make mining safer, cleaner, and more efficient,”
said Tillis.
“By collaborating with agencies and experts, we can create high-quality jobs, enhance safety, and equip the next generation with the skills and training needed to strengthen our critical minerals supply chains.”
The legislation would establish a Mining and Mineral Innovation Program within the Department of Energy (DOE) to increase research, development, and commercialization of advanced mining, recycling, and processing technologies that would reduce environmental and human impacts.
The U.S.
critical minerals list
contains 50 minerals – including graphite, nickel, and cobalt – that are essential to our economy, infrastructure, and military capability. Critical minerals are used in smartphones, electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and more. Currently, the U.S. is largely dependent on China for importing these minerals, which creates
supply chain instability
and
threats to national security
.
Specifically, the
Unearth Innovation Act
would:
Support research and development of technologies for identifying, mining, recycling, and processing minerals and to reclaim, remediate, and reuse existing mines
Promote responsible mining practices that minimize human and environmental impact
Engage with communities and consult with tribal nations to support strategies to increase the prosperity of mining communities
Allow DOE to coordinate with federal agencies on mining safety innovations
Partner with academic institutions and the mining industry to accelerate new mining technologies and create a pipeline into the critical minerals workforce
In the 119th Congress, Hickenlooper has reintroduced his bipartisan
STRATEGIC Minerals Act
to foster critical minerals trade with our international allies and the bipartisan
Critical Materials Future Act
to establish a pilot program to finance domestic critical minerals production.
The
Unearth Innovation Act
is supported by the Colorado School of Mines, the Bipartisan Policy Center, the National Wildlife Federation, the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy, the Key Minerals Forum, the Zero Emission Transportation Association, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, Employ America, MineTech Ventures, Alta Resource Technologies, the Chamber of Progress, U.S. Critical Minerals, Nyrstar, the Alabama Mobility and Power Center (University of Alabama), South32 Hermosa, Alliance for Mineral Security, South Star Battery Metals Corp, the American Critical Minerals Association, and the Federation of American Scientists. For their statements of support, click
HERE
.
A one-pager explanation of the bill can be found
HERE
.
Full text of the bill is available
HERE
.
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