In February 2021, President Biden announced an Executive Order on securing America’s supply chains - including critical minerals - to further our nation’s national security and climate goals including a transition net zero emissions economy by 2050. Critical minerals are the building blocks of this energy transition and the Biden-Harris Administration (the “Administration”) is pursuing a whole-of-government approach to increase the reliability of the critical minerals supply chain, including strengthening recycling, researching critical minerals replacements, assessing standards, pursuing international engagements, and increasing responsible domestic mining.
The Administration acknowledges the problematic and damaging history between extractive industries and Tribal communities, and the potential impact of new mining to significantly impact Tribal lands, people and resources. Early, meaningful, and ongoing consultation and engagement with Tribal governments is imperative as the US government pursues development of a responsible, critical minerals supply chain. Furthermore, Tribes should be given the opportunity to equitably share in the economic development benefits of mineral development.
First and foremost, the Administration is striving to not repeat the sins of the past with extractive industry. As part of this effort, the Administration’s Department of the Interior-led Interagency Working Group (IWG) on Mining Laws, Regulations, and Permitting held four Tribal consultations and other Tribal listening sessions to receive Tribal input on improving mining on public lands. In September 2023, the IWG published the Recommendations to Improve Mining on Public Lands report with dozens of recommendations for improving Tribal consultation and engagement, protection of Tribal resources, and sharing of economic benefits when it comes to mining. Note, the report’s recommendations may also support improved practices for projects not on public lands.
In response to several Tribal inquiries about the Administration’s actions on critical minerals, the White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) created a Critical Minerals Working Group.
The WHCNAA Critical Minerals Working Group is seeking your input on the September 2023 Recommendations to Improve Mining on Public Lands report. We are also seeking your feedback to prioritize and implement recommendations from the report that will benefit Tribes.
This Working Group also created a Draft National Tribal Critical Minerals Initiative to improve Tribal consultation and engagement in domestic critical minerals supply chain. The purpose of this initiative is to ensure Tribal interests are meaningfully considered early and often in the pursuit of a domestic critical minerals supply chain, including environmental and human health protection, Tribal and cultural resources protection, and economic development or other benefits sharing. We are also seeking your feedback on the Draft National Tribal Critical Minerals Initiative.
Your feedback will inform the steps that the Administration will take in the future in pursuit of a responsible domestic critical minerals supply chain. The Administration is also in the process of planning forums that convene Tribes, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and industry for discussions later this year.
Invitation
Consultation Materials
Sessions
Comment Deadline
Written Comments Due August 31, 2024
If your Tribe is unable to participate in any of these sessions or has additional feedback that you are unable to share in the session, you can submit written comments to whcnaa@bia.gov.
