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Executive Order 14241
Immediate Measures To Increase American Mineral Production
Signed March 20, 2025, printed at 90 FR 13673. 6 sections of substance, 2,331 words.
This order speeds up mining at home. It says the country leans too much on other lands for key metals.
Sec. 1. Purpose
The United States possesses vast mineral resources that can create jobs, fuel prosperity, and significantly reduce our reliance on foreign nations. Transportation, infrastructure, defense capabilities, and the next generation of technology rely upon a secure, predictable, and affordable supply of minerals. The United States was once the world's largest producer of lucrative minerals, but overbearing Federal regulation has eroded our Nation's mineral production. Our national and economic security are now acutely threatened by our reliance upon hostile foreign powers' mineral production. It is imperative for our national security that the United States take immediate action to facilitate domestic mineral production to the maximum possible extent.
The United States possesses vast mineral resources that can create jobs, fuel prosperity, and significantly reduce our reliance on foreign nations. Transportation, infrastructure, defense capabilities, and the next generation of technology rely upon a secure, predictable, and affordable supply of minerals. The United States was once the world's largest producer of lucrative minerals, but overbearing Federal regulation has eroded our Nation's mineral production. Our national and economic security are now acutely threatened by our reliance upon hostile foreign powers' mineral production. It is imperative for our national security that the United States take immediate action to facilitate domestic mineral production to the maximum possible extent.
This sets out the case the order makes. It says the country holds vast mineral wealth. It says those minerals feed transport, building and defense. It says the country once led the world in output. It says heavy rules cut that back. It says reliance on hostile states is now a risk.
Sec. 2. Definitions
For the purposes of this order: (a) ``Mineral'' means a critical mineral, as defined by 30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(3), as well as uranium, copper, potash, gold, and any other element, compound or material as determined by the Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC). (b) ``Mineral production'' means the mining, processing, refining, and smelting of minerals, and the production of processed critical minerals and other derivative products. (c) The term ``processed minerals'' refers to minerals that have undergone the activities that occur after mineral ore is extracted from a mine up through its conversion into a metal, metal powder, or a master alloy. These activities specifically occur beginning from the point at which ores are converted into oxide concentrates, separated into oxides, and converted into metals, metal powders, and master alloys. (d) The term ``derivative products''
For the purposes of this order: (a) ``Mineral'' means a critical mineral, as defined by 30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(3), as well as uranium, copper, potash, gold, and any other element, compound or material as determined by the Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC). (b) ``Mineral production'' means the mining, processing, refining, and smelting of minerals, and the production of processed critical minerals and other derivative products. (c) The term ``processed minerals'' refers to minerals that have undergone the activities that occur after mineral ore is extracted from a mine up through its conversion into a metal, metal powder, or a master alloy. These activities specifically occur beginning from the point at which ores are converted into oxide concentrates, separated into oxides, and converted into metals, metal powders, and master alloys. (d) The term ``derivative products''
This defines the terms. Mineral covers those on a federal list. Uranium, copper, potash and gold are added. Mineral work covers mining and refining. Processed minerals means ore turned into metal. That runs from oxide to metal powder. Other goods made from them count too.
Sec. 3. Priority Projects
(a) Within 10 days of the date of this order, the head of each executive department and agency (agency) involved in the permitting of mineral production in the United States shall provide to the Chair of the NEDC a list of all mineral production projects for which a plan of operations, a permit application, or other application for approval has been submitted to such agency. Within 10 days of the submission of such lists, the head of each such agency shall, in coordination with the Chair of the NEDC, identify priority projects that can be immediately approved or for which permits can be immediately issued, and take all necessary or appropriate actions within the agency's authority to expedite and issue the relevant permits or approvals. (b) Within 15 days of the date of this order, the Chair of the NEDC, in consultation with the heads of relevant agencies, shall submit to the [[Page
(a) Within 10 days of the date of this order, the head of each executive department and agency (agency) involved in the permitting of mineral production in the United States shall provide to the Chair of the NEDC a list of all mineral production projects for which a plan of operations, a permit application, or other application for approval has been submitted to such agency. Within 10 days of the submission of such lists, the head of each such agency shall, in coordination with the Chair of the NEDC, identify priority projects that can be immediately approved or for which permits can be immediately issued, and take all necessary or appropriate actions within the agency's authority to expedite and issue the relevant permits or approvals. (b) Within 15 days of the date of this order, the Chair of the NEDC, in consultation with the heads of relevant agencies, shall submit to the [[Page
This is about mine permits. Within 10 days each agency must list pending mine plans. Those lists go to the energy council chair. Within another 10 days they must flag priority projects. Those are ones that could be approved at once. Agencies must then act to issue the permits.
Sec. 4.
Mining Act of 1872. Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Chair of the NEDC and the Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs shall jointly prepare and submit recommendations to the President for the Congress to clarify the treatment of waste rock, tailings, and mine waste disposal under the Mining Act of 1872.
Mining Act of 1872. Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Chair of the NEDC and the Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs shall jointly prepare and submit recommendations to the President for the Congress to clarify the treatment of waste rock, tailings, and mine waste disposal under the Mining Act of 1872.
This asks for a legislative fix. Two officials have 30 days. One chairs an economic council. One handles laws in Congress. They must send the President joint recommendations. The subject is an 1872 mining law. Waste rock is the issue. Tailings are named. So is disposal of mine waste.
Sec. 5. Land Use for Mineral Projects
(a) Within 10 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall identify and provide the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs with a list of all Federal lands known to hold mineral deposits and reserves. The Secretary of the Interior shall prioritize mineral production and mining related purposes as the primary land uses in these areas, consistent with applicable law. Land use plans under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act shall provide for mineral production and ancillary uses, and be amended or revised as necessary, to support the intent of this order. (b) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Energy shall identify as many sites as possible on Federal land managed by their
(a) Within 10 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall identify and provide the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs with a list of all Federal lands known to hold mineral deposits and reserves. The Secretary of the Interior shall prioritize mineral production and mining related purposes as the primary land uses in these areas, consistent with applicable law. Land use plans under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act shall provide for mineral production and ancillary uses, and be amended or revised as necessary, to support the intent of this order. (b) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Energy shall identify as many sites as possible on Federal land managed by their
This is about land use. Within 10 days Interior must list federal land holding minerals. Mining becomes the main use on that land. Land use plans must be revised to match. Within 30 days four agency heads must find sites. Those sites sit on land they manage.
Sec. 6. Accelerating Private and Public Capital Investment
(a) The Secretary of Defense shall utilize the National Security Capital Forum to facilitate [[Page 13675]] the introduction of entities to pair private capital with commercially viable domestic mineral production projects to the maximum possible extent. (b) To address the national emergency declared pursuant to Executive Order 14156 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Energy Emergency), I hereby waive the requirements of 50 U.S.C. 4533(a)(1) through (a)(6). By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby delegate to the Secretary of Defense the authority of the President conferred by section 303 of the Defense Production Act (DPA) (50 U.S.C. 4533). The Secretary of Defense may use the authority under section 303 of the DPA, in consultation with the Secretary
(a) The Secretary of Defense shall utilize the National Security Capital Forum to facilitate [[Page 13675]] the introduction of entities to pair private capital with commercially viable domestic mineral production projects to the maximum possible extent. (b) To address the national emergency declared pursuant to Executive Order 14156 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Energy Emergency), I hereby waive the requirements of 50 U.S.C. 4533(a)(1) through (a)(6). By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby delegate to the Secretary of Defense the authority of the President conferred by section 303 of the Defense Production Act (DPA) (50 U.S.C. 4533). The Secretary of Defense may use the authority under section 303 of the DPA, in consultation with the Secretary
This is about money for mines. Defense must use a forum to match projects with backers. Some legal steps are waived. That follows the energy emergency of January 2025. A wartime supply power passes to Defense. That power lets it pay for output.
Sec. 7. General Provisions
Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. [[Page 13677]] (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, March 20, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-05212 Filed 3-24-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. [[Page 13677]] (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, March 20, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-05212 Filed 3-24-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P
This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.
How this order is quoted
Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.