It should come as no surprise to anyone living on the Iron Range that minerals matter. Iron production makes Minnesota the fifth-largest mineral-producing state in the U.S., powering Minnesota’s economy and U.S. industry. From the copper in power lines to the nickel in our electric-vehicle batteries, minerals form the backbone of the modern economy, artificial intelligence, renewable and traditional energy, and national security.
Today, Minnesota’s nonferrous mineral resources could help solve a national challenge and bring prosperity to communities across the state.
Americans rely on minerals more than we realize. Each American uses more than 40,000 pounds of minerals, metals, and fuels annually. That adds up to more than 3 million pounds across a lifetime.
But despite our everyday use of dozens of different minerals, the U.S. supply is fragile. In 2023, the U.S. was completely import-reliant for 12 critical minerals and more than 50% reliant for 29 others . This has serious implications for national security: The U.S. Department of War estimates that in a hypothetical armed conflict with China , the U.S. would see shortfalls of 69 minerals, 20 of which are primarily imported from China.
China dominates most critical-minerals supply chains and routinely demonstrates its willingness to restrict exports of materials crucial for energy and defense. Even now, China is restricting exports of antimony, gallium, germanium, graphite, and a slew of rare-earth elements — to the U.S. only. In 2025, the U.S. is import-reliant for 85% of its antimony , a mineral used in flame retardants and lead-acid batteries.
In response to this strategic imbalance, American Experiment has launched a “ Make Mining American Again ” campaign to urge Congress to act.
The Iron Range has minerals America needs. The Duluth Complex, a geological formation in Northeastern Minnesota, is estimated to hold 95% of U.S. nickel reserves, 88% of cobalt reserves, and a third of U.S. copper reserves. Talon Metals’ Tamarack deposit, Twin Metals’ deposits, and NewRange Copper Nickel’s NorthMet and Mesaba deposits could provide a secure, domestic supply of these minerals and provide good-paying jobs to Iron Range residents.
It is understandable that people have questions about the environmental impacts of mining. Minnesota enforces some of the strongest environmental standards in the world. But there are consequences for such stringent enforcement rather than seeking a balance. If these minerals aren’t mined here, they’ll be mined in places with far weaker safeguards for workers and the environment.
We do not have the option of living in a world without minerals and mining. But we can choose to mine with strong Minnesota standards and workers.
These issues will be explored at a Center of the American Experiment-sponsored presentation on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Eveleth City Auditorium, 421 Jackson St. I will give a presentation at “ Critical Minerals, Critical State: How Minnesota Can Win the Critical Minerals Race .” Afterward, I will be joined for a panel discussion by Rep. Cal Warwas, a fourth-generation Iron Range miner representing Minnesota House District 7B, and Kyle Makarios of the trade group MiningMinnesota. We’ll discuss what critical minerals mean for Minnesota’s economy, America’s economic and national security, and for communities that stand to benefit most.
Minnesota’s iron helped the Allies gain victory in World War II. The Iron Range now can help win the critical-minerals race with China. By developing our mineral wealth responsibly, we can provide good-paying jobs for Iron Range residents, protect our environment, and secure U.S. national security.
This piece originally appeared in the Duluth News Tribune
