Contributed article
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., introduced the Copper is Critical Act, legislation to designate copper as a critical mineral.
Arizona produces almost 70 percent of the United States’ domestic copper supply, making it the leading state for copper mining and production in the country. By changing the material’s designation, the U.S. government will be able to more effectively ensure a reliable and secure supply of copper in the future.
The Copper Development Association recently found that copper’s supply risk — or a resource’s level of availability — surpassed the U.S. Geological Survey’s threshold to be added to the official list of critical minerals. This legislation would amend that list, outlined in the Energy Act of 2020, to include copper.
The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., chairman of the Western Caucus; Jim Baird, R-Ind.; David Schweikert, R-Ariz.; Eli Crane, R-Ariz.; and Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz.
Read full text of the bill here.
“As one of our state’s ‘Five Cs’, Arizona knows the importance of copper to our economy, national security, and all other areas of innovation,” Ciscomani said. “Designating copper as a critical mineral will open up more doors to creating a dependable domestic stockpile of the material.”
“The importance of copper to our economy and national security cannot be overstated,” Newhouse said. “It is long overdue that copper be designated as a critical mineral and I’m proud to support this legislation to make that a reality.”
“On behalf of the Copper Development Association and our members across the country, we are grateful to Congressman Ciscomani and all the co-sponsors of the Copper Is Critical Act,” the association said in a prepared statement.
“We at CDA have recognized that copper, its products, and its domestic supply chain are ‘critical’ for many years, and we’re encouraged to see this group of representatives agree with us. Not only is copper ‘critical’ to our economic and national security, but with rising demand forecasts for copper consumption over the next decade, the U.S. must add copper to the USGS Critical Minerals list without delay before the supply risk increases further.”
