The draft of the list was originally issued in February this year. The complete list includes bauxite, platinum group metals and potash. The Interior Department reportedly said that the list will be updated periodically in line with changes in supply, demand, policy and concentration of demand. Reuters reports that the Department of Commerce will use the list to respond to a Presidential order in December to break US dependence of foreign minerals.
According to Reuters, the Trump administration is seeking to: identify new domestic sources of critical minerals; increase domestic exploration, mining and recycling; provide both miners and producers with electronic access to better mapping and geological data; and streamline the leasing and permitting process for new miners.
Reuters reports that the draft list drew 453 public comments, which included a total of 147 requests to add minerals (including copper, silver and nickel) and 183 requests to delete uranium.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/potash/21052018/potash-included-in-us-governments-critical-minerals-list/