By the authority granted to me as President under the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby issue the following order:
Section 1. Purpose
The United States is endowed with a wealth of mineral resources capable of generating employment, driving economic growth, and minimizing our dependence on foreign suppliers. Essential sectors such as transportation, infrastructure, defense, and emerging technologies necessitate a reliable, stable, and cost-effective mineral supply. Once a global leader in mineral production, overregulation has diminished our ability to harness these resources effectively. Our economic and national security is now jeopardized by our dependency on potentially adversarial nations for critical minerals. To safeguard our national interests, immediate action is required to bolster domestic mineral production.
Sec 2. Definitions
(a) “Mineral” refers to critical minerals as defined by 30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(3), including uranium, copper, potash, gold, and other elements as determined by the Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC).
(b) “Mineral production” encompasses the mining, processing, refining, and smelting of minerals, as well as the production of processed critical minerals and derivative products.
(c) “Processed minerals” are those that have undergone various stages from extraction to conversion into metals, metal powders, or master alloys, specifically from ore extraction to oxide concentrates and beyond.
(d) “Derivative products” include any goods that utilize processed minerals, ranging from semi-finished items like semiconductor wafers to final products such as electric vehicles, batteries, and advanced technological devices.
Sec 3. Priority Projects
(a) Within 10 days of this order, heads of executive agencies involved in mineral production permitting must submit to the Chair of the NEDC a list of all ongoing mineral production projects. Subsequently, in collaboration with the Chair, priority projects for immediate approval must be identified, and agencies are to expedite the permitting process.
(b) Within 15 days, the Chair of the NEDC, in consultation with relevant agency heads, shall present mineral production projects for inclusion as transparency projects on the Permitting Dashboard, established under section 41003 of title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act. Upon receipt, the Executive Director will publish these projects and set expedited review timelines.
(c) The Chair of the NEDC will also issue a request for industry feedback regarding regulatory hurdles and strategies to enhance domestic mineral production.
Sec 4. Mining Act of 1872
Within 30 days, the Chair of the NEDC and the Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs shall prepare and submit recommendations to the President for clarifying waste rock, tailings, and mine waste disposal under the Mining Act of 1872.
Sec 5. Land Use for Mineral Projects
(a) Within 10 days, the Secretary of the Interior shall provide the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and the Assistant to the President for National Security with a list of all Federal lands containing mineral deposits. Mineral production will be prioritized as the primary use for these lands, with necessary amendments to land use plans under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to support this initiative.
(b) Within 30 days, the Secretaries of Defense, Interior, Agriculture, and Energy will identify Federal land sites suitable for leasing or development for private mineral production enterprises and prioritize those that can be fully permitted swiftly, significantly impacting the domestic supply chain.
(c) The Secretaries of Defense and Energy shall enter into extended use leases with private entities to facilitate commercial mineral production on identified lands, adapting existing facilities as needed.
(d) Within 30 days, these Secretaries will coordinate with other agencies to ensure that private parties entering lease agreements can access favorable public assistance program terms and conditions.
Sec 6. Accelerating Private and Public Capital Investment
(a) The Secretary of Defense shall utilize the National Security Capital Forum to connect private capital with viable domestic mineral production projects.
(b) In response to the national emergency declared under Executive Order 14156 on January 20, 2025, I waive specific requirements of 50 U.S.C. 4533(a)(1) through (a)(6). I delegate to the Secretary of Defense authority under section 303 of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to facilitate domestic mineral production. Within 30 days, mineral production will be designated as a priority area for industrial capability development.
(c) Agencies authorized to make financial investments for securing mineral supply chains will rescind policies requiring extensive disclosures from applicants for such funds, where legally permissible.
(d) Further waivers of requirements under 50 U.S.C. 4531(d)(1)(a)(ii), 4332(d)(1)(B), and 4533(a)(1) through (a)(6) are hereby enacted, delegating extensive DPA authority to the CEO of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) for enhancing domestic mineral production.
(e) Within 30 days, the DFC CEO and the Secretary of Defense will propose a dedicated mineral production fund to be established for domestic investments, subject to various approvals.
(f) The President of the Export-Import Bank will provide guidance regarding financing tools for securing domestic mineral production within 30 days.
(g) Within 30 days, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy will coordinate with mineral buyers to initiate requests for bids.
(h) Within 45 days, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration will recommend legislation aimed at enhancing financial support for small businesses involved in mineral production.
Sec 7. General Provisions
(a) This order does not impair the authority of executive departments or agencies or the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget concerning budgetary and legislative proposals.
(b) Implementation of this order must comply with applicable laws and the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order does not create enforceable rights or benefits for any parties against the United States or its entities.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 20, 2025.
