The Executive Order aims to secure supply chains and fast-track mining projects, but critics warn of environmental and community costs

The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) has voiced strong support for the recent Executive Order titled Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production, which invokes the Defense Production Act to accelerate the development of domestic mining and processing of critical minerals.

The order directs federal agencies to eliminate regulatory delays, streamline permitting, and expand domestic access to materials essential to U.S. manufacturing, national defense, and energy infrastructure. SME and other industry groups argue the move is long overdue.

“SME fully supports the permitting and federal lands directives in the President’s Executive Order as long-overdue reforms,” said SME President Bill Hancock. “These measures will, at least in part, resolve bureaucratic barriers that have been severely hampering the U.S. mining industry’s ability to produce domestic critical minerals. This will undoubtedly support the U.S. economy and significantly improve our national security.”

A Strategic Shift in U.S. Mineral Policy

SME highlights that the U.S. currently depends heavily on foreign sources for minerals vital to electric vehicles, renewable energy, semiconductors, and defense technology. With global supply chains increasingly strained, proponents of the Executive Order argue that fast-tracking domestic production is essential.

To support implementation, SME points to its Permitting White Paper as a guide for accelerating project approvals without compromising environmental safeguards. It also recommends reestablishing a centralized federal mining agency, modeled on the former U.S. Bureau of Mines, to provide expert guidance to regulators and policymakers.

The organization further supports the Mining Schools Act to strengthen the future mining workforce and calls for restored federal funding to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Mining Program—an essential driver of research in mine safety, automation, and air quality.

“Mining is one of the most safety-sensitive and essential sectors of our economy,” said Hancock. “Workers are relied upon to supply minerals that support everything from defense systems and clean energy to telecommunications and next-generation technology. Protecting them must remain a national priority.”

Concerns Over Environmental and Community Impact

Despite broad industry support, the Executive Order has also drawn criticism from environmental groups, tribal leaders, and some public policy experts who worry that the use of emergency powers could bypass critical environmental reviews and limit public input.

Fast-tracking permits, they argue, may reduce oversight under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and open the door to mining projects on public or tribal lands without sufficient safeguards.

“There’s a real concern that communities most affected by mining—often rural or Indigenous—will have fewer opportunities to weigh in or protect their resources,” said a spokesperson for a national environmental organization. “Speed should not come at the cost of accountability.”

Critics also warn that creating a centralized federal mining agency may weaken the influence of agencies like the EPA and the U.S. Forest Service, which play key roles in balancing development with environmental protection.

Economists and industry analysts note that while the Executive Order emphasizes national security, reshaping mineral supply chains is a complex and long-term endeavor. Domestic mining is only one part of the solution. Investments in recycling, materials innovation, and international collaboration remain essential to creating a stable and sustainable supply system.

Additionally, some warn that streamlining development too aggressively could create economic instability in rural areas if mining booms aren’t matched by long-term infrastructure or diversification planning.

“Fast action is necessary,” said a policy analyst at a clean energy think tank. “But so is thoughtful action. If we don’t build in sustainability and equity now, we’ll be dealing with the fallout later.”

As the U.S. moves toward greater mineral independence, SME has positioned itself as a key partner in shaping responsible and effective mining policy. The organization supports the goals of the Executive Order but continues to advocate for robust safety, environmental protection, and community engagement as core pillars of domestic mineral development.

“We support faster permitting and new domestic mines,” said Hancock. “But we want them built with state-of-the-art safety technologies, like those developed by NIOSH research programs, that protect workers and the environment.”