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Subcommittee hears industry pitch: AI, modular processing to boost U.S. critical‑minerals supply
Summary
Industry and academic witnesses told the House Natural Resources Subcommittee that artificial intelligence, modular processing and byproduct recovery could speed exploration and reduce reliance on foreign processors, while members pressed for faster permitting, workforce investments and safeguards to protect communities and the environment.
WASHINGTON — Industry executives and academics on the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on Monday outlined how artificial intelligence and modular processing could accelerate domestic critical‑minerals production and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign processors.
Chair Bruce Westerman opened the hearing, saying Congress must shorten the lengthy timeline to develop new mines — which he said averages 29 years — and adopt both technology and permitting reforms to strengthen the domestic supply chain. Ranking Member Maxine Dexter emphasized that technological gains must not come at the expense of environmental and human‑health protections, saying, "these technological advances are not an excuse to shred environmental and human health protections."
Daniel Donahue, head of growth at Terra AI, described AI models…
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