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Experts at oversight hearing urge mapping, allied demand and statutory reserve to shore up U.S. mineral supply chains
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Summary
Witnesses told the subcommittee that expanding public geoscientific mapping, integrating the full supply chain from mine to manufacturer, aggregating allied demand, and codifying a strategic minerals reserve would reduce dependence on adversaries and strengthen national security.
Experts who testified at the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations offered a set of policy recommendations lawmakers could use to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign critical‑minerals supply chains.
Simon Jowett, Nevada state geologist, urged expanded public geoscientific data and mapping programs such as Earth MRI to de‑risk exploration and attract investment. "For every dollar you spend on that, you get 14 to $70 back," Jowett told the subcommittee, arguing stronger publicly available data helps industry identify priority targets and accelerates discovery.
Gracelyn Baskaran of the Center for Strategic and International Studies recommended a systems approach that links mines to midstream processing and end‑use manufacturers. She urged Congress to give statutory authorization to "Project Vault," a strategic minerals reserve created by executive action, saying "Congress should codify it just as it did the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in 1975" so the program has a permanent statutory foundation.
Abigail Hunter focused on the defense dimension, warning that developing mines, processing and qualification timelines are long — "Developing a new mine can take 10 to 15 years" — and argued that policy must simultaneously create commercial demand, reduce investment risk, and coordinate allied procurement to make new U.S. capacity economically viable.
Faith Williams of the Project on Government Oversight emphasized that ethics, transparency, and oversight must accompany any federal investments in mineral companies. She noted existing authorities, such as the Defense Production Act and federal contracting procedures, and urged Congress to require clearer disclosure, conflict‑of‑interest protections, and exit strategies for equity stakes.
Committee members and witnesses also discussed specific policy tools: continued funding for Earth MRI mapping, permitting reform to reduce delays (the Speed Act was cited), sourcing provisions to aggregate demand across industries and allied countries (FORGE partners), and incentives to raise domestic smelting and refining capacity. Witnesses warned that supply‑side steps alone risk stranded assets if there is no buyer, and they urged integrated demand signals and financing to support midstream capacity.
