The Trump administration is drafting plans to establish critical mineral refining facilities on U.S. military bases as part of an executive order aimed at reducing reliance on China and bolstering domestic production, according to senior officials. The initiative, which could be finalized this week, would leverage the Pentagon’s 30 million acres of land to bypass local opposition and accelerate the development of processing plants for minerals vital to national security, such as those used in fighter jets, submarines, and advanced weaponry.
A key component of the order includes appointing a “critical minerals czar” to oversee coordination across federal agencies. While the plan avoids contentious measures like a “Buy American” mandate or a national stockpile akin to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, it prioritizes streamlining permits under the FAST-41 process and reclassifying mine waste to unlock copper and other minerals from existing sites. This approach aims to sidestep lengthy environmental reviews and revive discarded materials at mines operated by companies like Rio Tinto and Freeport-McMoRan.
The move responds to concerns over China’s dominance in processing 30 of the 50 minerals deemed critical by the U.S. and follows fears that Beijing could weaponize exports amid trade tensions. However, regulatory hurdles, including compliance with the Clean Air and Water Acts, may challenge implementation. Industry leaders, including Freeport-McMoRan, have lobbied for designating copper as a strategic mineral to access tax incentives, a step not yet included in the order.