The American Foundry Society is urging the U.S. Department of the Interior to formally recognize copper as a critical mineral, citing its importance to national security and infrastructure.
The American Foundry Society is urging the U.S. Department of the Interior to formally recognize copper as a critical mineral, citing its importance to national security and infrastructure.
In a letter delivered to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, AFS joined with more than 20 associations, unions, and businesses to insist copper be designated an official USGS Critical Mineral immediately, rather than waiting three years for the next update. Designating it a critical mineral would protect the domestic copper supply, which is increasingly vulnerable to disruption.
"By recognizing copper as a critical mineral, the United States’ federal government can more effectively ensure a secure and reliable supply of domestic copper resources in the years to come," the letter reads.