CHEYENNE, Wyo. — President Donald Trump is moving to boost the U.S. mining industry by prioritizing copper in his domestic minerals policy. This focus aligns with his efforts on the global stage, from showing interest in Greenland’s mineral wealth to leveraging Ukraine for resources in return for support against Russian aggression. On Tuesday, Trump signed an executive order promoting the U.S. copper industry by assessing the national security impact of its imports and considering possible tariffs.
The order points out, “The United States has ample copper reserves, yet our smelting and refining capacity lags significantly behind global competitors.” Environmentalists, however, express concerns about potential projects like the Twin Metals initiative in Minnesota, fearing they could threaten natural reserves like the Boundary Waters wilderness.
“Despite America having large copper supplies, jeopardizing a national treasure for minimal copper yield is reckless,” stated Ingrid Lyons of Save the Boundary Waters. Copper remains essential due to its widespread use in electronics and infrastructure, underlining its significance in producing electricity and building components.
Over the past two decades, U.S. copper use and trade have fluctuated, yet the lack of domestic smelting has been a consistent issue. The U.S. Geological Survey reports the country mined roughly 1.1 million tons of copper in 2024, exporting a third of it unrefined and importing 810,000 tons, mainly refined from Chile, the leading producer.
Future changes in these statistics depend on the growing copper demand for infrastructure and technology. Predictions from the National Mining Association suggest worldwide demand could double by 2030, further fueling the need for projects like transmission lines and electric vehicles.
The mining association, already encouraged by Trump’s past executive orders, sees these developments as reducing the regulations and easing hurdles on domestic mining projects. “Made in America, America first,” states Rich Nolan of the National Mining Association, supporting the administration’s miner-friendly policies.
The sector’s key goals include projects like the Twin Metals initiative in northeastern Minnesota, challenged by environmental concerns over its impact on local wilderness. Other important ventures are the $1 billion NewRange Copper Nickel project undergoing redesign for improved environmental and cost efficiency, and Arizona’s contentious Resolution Copper project at Oak Flat.
However, these projects, led by international companies such as Canada’s Hudbay Minerals Inc., face significant delays due to regulatory and legal challenges. Meanwhile, environmental advocates like Rob Peters from Save the Scenic Santa Ritas argue that using existing mines more efficiently could safeguard both the environment and public health. He criticizes the current unstructured approach, allowing primarily foreign companies to maximize profit over sustainable practices.
Once making the U.S. a leader in copper production, Arizona’s mines now contribute to its fifth-place standing globally. According to mining consultant Debra Struhsacker, a lack of sensible government coordination has hindered permits and mining progress. Trump’s executive orders, however, acknowledge the necessity of revamping the permitting process to facilitate development.
