AFS Criticizes Administration’s Failure to Designate Copper as a Critical Mineral

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has denied a bipartisan request to immediately add copper to the official Critical Minerals list due to a dangerous supply risk. 

The American Foundry Society had joined with the Copper Development Association (CDA) and others in requesting an immediate designation. CDA noted this week, “This decision was made even though [Interior] Secretary Haaland has the authority given to her by statute to add copper to the list, without waiting for the next update in three years.”

Europe recently made such a designation, but the U.S. evaluates supply risk with a backward-looking analysis (using 2014-2018 data) that jeopardizes critical supply chains. Copper is needed to meet increasing demand for the electricity grid, communications devices, and national security. AFS encourages foundry leaders and suppliers to participate in the AFS Government Affairs Fly-In, June 20-21, to advocate on this and other issues.

The American Foundry Society is a dynamic technical and advocacy organization that serves and represents the $46 billion metalcasting industry. AFS is the only association serving the entire industry, including all metals and processes, with a three-part focus on advocacy, education, and innovation. AFS also publishes Modern Casting and Casting Source magazines and presents Metalcasting Congress and CastExpo, the largest metalcasting trade events in North America. Founded in 1896, the organization is based in Schaumburg, Illinois, with an advocacy office in Washington, D.C. More information is available at afsinc.org.