Zinke Reacts to Biden’s So-Called Mining Plan

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke and domestic mining stakeholders released the following statements in response to problematic recommendations by the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Interagency Working Group (IWG) on mining. Problematic proposals in the report include an 8% royalty rate, the failure to address permitting timelines and the dirt tax.

Congressman Zinke said, “Once again, the Biden Administration has failed Montana, failed Indian Country and failed the American People. These new mining recommendations drafted by environmental zealots will set the industry back and will weaken our country’s supply chain and defense system. Our dependence on China for critical minerals is a disgrace. Instead of making this a priority, the Biden Administration is working to eliminate American jobs and devastate communities around the country.”

President and CEO of the National Mining Association Rich Nolan said, “It’s clear that when it comes to the global minerals game, the U.S. is critically outmatched—by our geopolitical rivals and allies alike, and the administration acknowledges this.Unfortunately, if the Biden-Harris administration’s stated objective is to secure our nation’s domestic mineral supply chains while supporting responsible mining, the recommendations contained in this report don’t do anything to advance the ball. In fact, most of the recommendations made by the IWG reveal a fundamental lack of understanding of our industry and the laws that govern it and will throw insurmountable obstacles in the way of responsible domestic projects and would-be investment.”

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