Mines professor testifies before U.S. House on critical role of domestic mining in national security

Washington, D.C. — Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy and a globally recognized expert in critical minerals and energy policy, testified before the U.S. House Natural Resources Energy & Minerals Subcommittee today, delivering key insights on the intersection between domestic mining, national security and economic sustainability. 

“Minerals are necessary for American national defense, economic prosperity, and energy security,” Bazilian said. “In short, minerals are foundational across the modern economy and becoming more so.” 

In his testimony, Bazilian presented several strategic recommendations to the committee, including expanding the critical mineral stockpile, streamlining the permitting process, supporting the mining workforce, enhancing mineral supply chain transparency in government procurement, and reviving the U.S. Bureau of Mines.

"These actions are not only feasible but would also be effective in bolstering mineral supply chains for goods that are critical to U.S. national security," Bazilian said.

Bazilian testified alongside distinguished industry and academic critical mineral experts, including Jeremey Harrell, CEO of ClearPath Action; Mckinsey Lyon, Vice President of External Affairs for Perpetua Resources; and Dustin Mulvaney, Environmental Studies Professor at San Jose State University.

The U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing comes at a critical moment, as intensifying global competition for resources and rising geopolitical uncertainties highlight the urgent need to secure and strengthen America’s mineral supply chains.