Mining helped build Nevada, and it still powers our economy today. That’s why Rep. Mark Amodei is pushing hard for the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act.
He says it’s not just about cutting red tape in Washington – it’s about protecting Nevada jobs, strengthening America’s supply chain, and making sure we don’t keep relying on China for the minerals that keep our country running.
China is outpacing us in both mining and processing capabilities. To compete and reduce our reliance, we must cut through the red tape and give American mining companies a fair shot.
Read more about how the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act addresses this:https://t.co/Ns0iu9U7Wi
— Rep. Mark Amodei (@MarkAmodeiNV2) September 26, 2025
Think about it. From your smartphone in your pocket to the truck in your driveway, critical minerals like lithium and copper are everywhere.
They’re also the backbone of our national defense. Jets, missiles, and even semiconductors can’t be built without them.
Yet right now, most of that supply chain runs through Beijing.
The Price of U.S. Red Tape
A 2025 Department of Interior report spelled it out: China now controls more than 60% of the world’s rare earth processing.
That didn’t happen by accident. Starting in the early 2000s, China poured billions into state-owned mines and used weaker environmental rules to ramp up production.
Meanwhile, America tied itself in knots with lawsuits and red tape.
The result? By 2024, the U.S. was importing 80% of its critical minerals, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
That’s like running your household budget on a credit card with China as the bank.
It’s not just risky. It’s dangerous.
The Mining Fix Amodei is Pushing
That’s why Amodei is pushing the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act.
The bill would undo the 2019 Rosemont Decision that blocked a $1.9 billion copper mine in Arizona. It would also shorten the painfully slow permitting process that drags on for up to ten years in the U.S., compared to just two or three in Canada.
A 2023 peer-reviewed study in Resources Policy found that streamlining the process could boost U.S. mineral output by 15% a year without major environmental damage.
That means more copper, more lithium, and less dependence on China.
The bill also creates a cleanup fund for abandoned mines, paid for with industry fees.
America has more than 100,000 old mine sites, many from the 19th-century boom days. Cleaning them up is long overdue.
Critics warn the fund could become a “slush fund” if Congress doesn’t keep it on a short leash, but supporters argue it’s a fair, market-based solution.
Nevada at the Center of the Mining Debate
Here’s where it gets personal for us Nevadans. Our state is the beating heart of U.S. mining. Nearly half of all Bureau of Land Management mining claims are right here, and Nevada is the only state producing lithium commercially.
Take the Thacker Pass project in Humboldt County. It was tied up in reviews and lawsuits for more than a decade before finally getting the green light in 2023.
Meanwhile, China kept churning out 70% of the world’s lithium chemicals.
Those delays didn’t just stall a mine. They cost Nevada jobs and handed China a bigger advantage.
Mining already brings in big money here. The Nevada Mining Association reported $12.3 billion in economic impact in 2024, with around 30,000 direct jobs.
Experts say if permitting times were cut in half, Nevada could add another 5,000 jobs by 2030.
That’s not just numbers on a spreadsheet – that’s food on tables in towns like Elko and Winnemucca.
A Conservative Fix to a Federal Mess
For conservatives, the argument is pretty simple: security, jobs, and freedom.
First, national security. Depending on China for the minerals that build our tanks and aircraft makes no sense.
Second, jobs. Mining is one of the last industries where you can make a good living without a fancy degree.
And third, freedom. Western states like Nevada have the resources, but Washington keeps tying our hands with endless regulations.
Amodei and his allies say it’s time to change that. They point to a 2021 GAO report showing that 70% of permit delays came from overlapping agency reviews.
That’s not protecting the environment. That’s government tripping over its own shoelaces.
Critics warn about water use, wildlife, and long-term land damage. Those concerns shouldn’t be ignored.
But unlike China, we actually have real environmental standards, and research shows we can expand production responsibly.
The choice isn’t “dig or destroy.” It’s “do it smart, or fall behind.”
The Road Ahead for Mining Reform
The Mining Regulatory Clarity Act is still moving through Congress. If it passes, it could make Nevada ground zero for America’s push to break free from China’s grip on minerals.
If Washington steps aside, Nevada’s mines could power not just our state, but our entire nation’s future.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
