Colorado Mining Association awards luncheon explores the national perspective of mining

On day three of the MINEXCHANGE 2025 SME Annual Conference & Expo, National Mining Association (NMA) president and chief executive officer Rich Nolan joined Colorado Mining Association (CMA) president and chief executive officer Adam Eckman to discuss national mining trends, as well as public policy challenges and opportunities in Washington, DC that are taking place during a transformative time for the mining industry. They spoke during the CMA Reclamation and Safety Awards Luncheon on Feb. 26 during the CMA 127th National Western Mining Conference, held in conjunction with MINEXCHANGE 2025. As President Donald Trump begins a second term, Nolan expressed optimism for the nation’s mining industry while discussing a wide range of topics important to the industry including permitting reform, good Samaritan efforts for mine land reclamation, workforce and growing energy demand as well as the ongoing threat to national security because of China’s global mineral dominance. “There is a tremendous increase in awareness for the importance of mined materials,” said Nolan. “We are witnessing some bipartisan support that we haven’t seen in my lifetime, and we are entering the most mining-intensive era since World War II and that is very exciting.” Eckman and Nolan discussed the growing energy demand from increased electric vehicles, data centers and artificial intelligence, and how a renewed interest in nuclear energy and uranium mining can help provide much-needed clean energy for the United States. Speaking of what is driving increased interest in mining and mineral development, Nolan said, “Geopolitical demand, technology drivers and the concern about supply of what we will need, in addition to the fact that one of our greatest geopolitical rivals, China, has a 20-year head start and have really locked up a lot of resources. All of this has created a real sprint to take control of these assets so that we are not being dictated to by adversarial nations.” NMA has long promoted permitting reform for the United States. Nolan cited a study conducted by S&P Global that found that the average length of time it takes for a mine to move from discovery of the deposit to production in the United States is 29 years. “There are a lot of reasons for that,” said Nolan. “One reason that was pointed out is there is no longer a dedicated resource in the United States focused on mining, and there is a lack of coordination in Washington, DC.” Among the recent developments that could help propel the mining industry is the reintroduction of the Unearth Innovation Act — a bipartisan bill that would boost critical mineral innovation while helping the United States drive responsible domestic critical mineral production — which was reintroduced by Sens. John Hickenlooper and Thom Tillis on Feb. 13. Additionally, on Feb. 14, President Trump signed the Executive Order on “Establishing the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC).” The NEDC is placed at a high level within the Executive Office of the President. SME published a concept paper titled “Why the U.S. Needs a National Materials and Minerals Council” in July 2024 that proposed a similar organizational structure. While the SME concept paper is not cited in the Executive Order, the mission of the NEDC to coordinate the involvement of all of the cabinet-level executive branch departments is also similar to the organization described in the NMMC concept paper.Following Nolan and Eckman’s discussion, Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper addressed industry leaders and professionals during the luncheon. Speaking via video chat, the senator emphasized the need to reevaluate the nation’s approach to mining and minerals, calling for a balanced framework that ensures profitability while upholding the highest environmental standards. Hickenlooper highlighted that the world’s growing demand for critical minerals, including copper and nickel, is forging an unprecedented alignment between environmentalists and mining professionals. He noted that ensuring a reliable domestic supply of these minerals is vital to economic security and climate initiatives. The senator discussed permitting reform as a key issue, stressing the importance of transparency and public engagement in shaping responsible mining practices. Calling for a renewed focus on mineral mining, Hickenlooper urged the industry to ensure mining practices remain environmentally sustainable. In a world increasingly dependent on critical minerals for everything from renewable energy to defense technology, the senator emphasized that the industry must align with environmentalists to secure a future that benefits all stakeholders. “This is a time to find new ways of American leadership, especially in mining,” said Hickenlooper. “And what we agree to and create for this country will set standards for the world.” He also underscored the role of nuclear energy as part of the transition to clean energy, acknowledging concerns over waste management but reaffirming its potential for high-quality, low-emission power generation. The senator detailed legislative efforts aimed at securing the critical mineral supply chain. He pointed to the National Critical Minerals Council Act, which establishes an executive office to coordinate critical mineral activities, as well as the Future Act, which funds pilot programs exploring price support mechanisms to protect American mining interests. Hickenlooper also mentioned the Strategic Minerals Act, co-sponsored with Senator Todd Young. Highlighting the international competition for mining expertise, Hickenlooper noted that while the United States currently has only 600 students enrolled in mining-related programs, China boasts 1.4 million. He stressed the urgent need to build a domestic workforce capable of meeting the industry’s challenges and called for initiatives akin to past national efforts, such as the Space Race, to drive mining education and innovation forward. Hickenlooper concluded by stressing that this is a pivotal moment for American leadership in mining. He asserted that decisions made today will set global standards for sustainability and safety, reinforcing the importance of responsible mineral extraction in shaping the nation’s economic and environmental future. As MINEXCHANGE 2025 progressed, the senator’s message served as a rallying call for industry leaders to seize the opportunity to drive innovation and establish the United States as a leader in the global mining sector.

Colorado Mining Association awards luncheon explores the national perspective of mining

Authored by: William Gleason, Carrie Smith

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