Cement 65,480 pounds (29,701 kg)Clays 19,245 pounds (8,729 kg)Copper 1,309 pounds (594 kg)Gold 99 pounds (45 kg)Iron ore 29,608 pounds (13,430 kg)Lead 928 pounds (421 kg)
Phosphate rock 19,815 pounds (8,988 kg)Stone, sand, gravel 1,610,000 pounds (730,284 kg)Zinc 671 pounds (304 kg)As large emerging economies, such as China and India, increase their
participation in the global economy, the demand for critical mineral resources
increases at an ever-increasing rate, requiring that new mineral deposits be found
and put into production.
Mineral commodities that are among the most critical include platinum-
group metals and rare-earths. Platinum-group metals are essential components of
pollution control systems (catalytic converters) in both gasoline- and diesel-
powered vehicles, where they facilitate a reduction in carbon monoxide,
hydrocarbon, and nitrogen oxide emissions. Rare-earths are used in the
manufacture of high-strength magnets, lasers, high-temperature metal alloys, and
ceramics, which are strategic to the defense industry.
RELEVANT LAWS
GENERAL MINING LAW (1872): Grants free access to individuals and
corporations to prospect for minerals in public domain lands and allows them,
upon making a discovery, to stake a claim on that deposit.MINERAL LEASING ACT (1920): Authorizes and governs leasing of
public lands for developing deposits of coal, petroleum, natural gas and other
hydrocarbons, phosphates, and sodium in the United States. Prior to the act,
these materials were subject to mining claims under the General Mining Law
of 1872.