Alaska Has the Rare Earths We Need. Most of it is on federal land

 President Trump’s tariffs remain contentious, and in response China is exploiting U.S. reliance on rare-earth and critical minerals by ordering restrictions on exports.

Alaska has untapped deposits of these minerals, including tantalum, which could serve as an alternative to Chinese pressure.

These minerals are needed for the production of engines, computers and cellphones, and the Last Frontier has 49 of the 50 minerals now in high demand.

These minerals are located throughout the state, and many were discovered during the Gold Rush. Later mapping and research was done by the U.S. Geological Service and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Numerous historical mining journals also document these found metals.

Why aren’t they being mined from Alaska and made available to American industry? Because most are on federal land, which constitutes roughly two-thirds of the state’s landmass of more than 356 million acres.

Federal restrictions on access to these lands and permitting requirements are mandated by numerous federal agencies to the point that development hasn’t been allowed to occur. Out-of-state national environmental groups have made a big business of opposing any Alaska resource development, including rare-earth minerals.

It would take a presidential order to expedite rare-earth and critical mineral development on known sites. Gov. Mike Dunleavy must join our congressional delegation in appealing to Mr. Trump so that Alaskans can be heard.

No longer should America have to be dependent on China, or any other nation. Alaska has the resources, but America needs the will.

Frank Murkowski, a Republican, served as a U.S. senator (1981-2002) and governor of Alaska (2002-06).

https://www.wsj.com/opinion/alaska-has-the-rare-earths-we-need-china-exports-tariffs-9bf46e10