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Committee sends resolution urging state-led strategy on critical minerals to the floor
Summary
Senate Joint Resolution 11 asks industry, academia and government partners to form a working group and recommend a strategy for developing critical minerals in Utah; the committee voted to recommend the resolution with one recorded dissent.
Senator Milner presented Senate Joint Resolution 11, arguing that the United States is heavily dependent on foreign sources for many critical minerals and that Utah has substantial in-state deposits. "Utah actually has 40 of those [critical minerals] in the state that have been identified," Milner said, and the resolution asks industry, government and academic stakeholders to form a working group to develop a statewide strategy.
Senator Lewin asked why environmental or sustainability stakeholders were not explicitly included in the resolution’s list of organizations; Milner said the resolution seeks to convene industry, defense, trade and research partners and that the working group could include additional participants as it forms. Members of the public testified in favor: Brian Summers of the Utah Mining Association said industry groups are prepared to collaborate; Mary Katherine Perry of the Salt Lake Chamber said the resolution would attract investment and jobs.
Senator Hankins moved that the committee favorably recommend SJR 11 to the full legislature. The motion passed; the chair recorded one opposed vote and the resolution advanced to the next stage.
