The people have spoken, and this time it was those recently polled by Maru Public Opinion on behalf of the National Mining Association (NMA).
The results of the group’s canvass are an echo of what an overwhelming balance of the mining industry are likely feeling at the moment: it’s time for overregulation to end and for support of domestic mining to see a significant boost.
The two-day poll of more than 1,500 Americans found that 88% believe the U.S. “should utilize a comprehensive energy strategy that includes a diverse mix of fuels including natural gas, coal, renewables and nuclear power” – or “all of the above” in its most complete form. Just 12% of people disagreed.
More than half (51%) feel that the new Trump administration needs to withdraw regulations by the EPA to allow coal plants to continue operations “until sufficient replacement capacity has been built” and can be brought online. Just 25% opposed that statement.
Last, but certainly not least, 75% of Americans want the U.S. to ramp up domestic minerals production so that it can reduce reliance on China, a top producer for many critical and essential minerals (just 12% opposed). This finding is interesting, and could result in some noteworthy conversations to come, following a December announcement by the Chinese Commerce Ministry that it would ban the exports of gallium, germanium, antimony and other high-tech minerals to the United States. The move, in response to America’s chip sanctions, resulted in 140 companies being added to the U.S. Commerce Department’s “entity list” for strict export controls on the chip-making equipment as well as software and high-bandwidth memory chips.
The Associated Press, which was the first to announce the ban, said both governments reported export controls are needed for national security.
However, in that time, much has changed. And with a national energy emergency declared by President Trump on the first day of his second term, that needle will certainly continue to fluctuate until a result is achieved that offers the greatest benefit to the American energy and mining community.
NMA, to its credit, is planning to be there as Trump and his administration get down to work and make a course correction, according to the group’s president and CEO Rich Nolan.
“The mining industry looks forward to working with President Trump on issues of energy and supply chain security – issues that he has said will be priorities for his administration, and that this polling shows are top priorities for the American people,” he said. “If we’re going to regain control of our supply chains, we must have secure domestic mineral production to feed American industry and buttress our national security.
This editor is certainly anxious to see what those at the helm will do with the ball now in their metaphorical court. Here’s to an energy-confident and mining-progressive new year.
Donna Schmidt
Editor, North American Mining magazine
[email protected]
X: @Dschmidt_NAM