Trump Prioritizes Copper Mining in US Minerals Policy

In a recent move aligned with his administration’s agenda, President Donald Trump is focusing on the development of the U.S. copper industry. Trump has targeted copper as a key element in his domestic mineral strategy, aiming to boost its production and lessen dependency on global imports. This follows his broader foreign policy strategies of seeking access to vital raw materials worldwide, reflected in previous interests in regions like Greenland and Ukraine.

An executive order signed by Trump underscores copper’s significance by advocating for an investigation into the national security implications of its imports, along with consideration of tariffs as a potential measure. This initiative is framed around the idea that although the United States possesses substantial copper reserves, its refining infrastructure significantly lags behind global counterparts.

If successful, this policy could invigorate the U.S. copper mining sector, which has been a source of great concern for environmental advocates, such as those opposing the Twin Metals project near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters. Critics argue that pursuing these projects could jeopardize irreplaceable national resources for minor copper yields. Ingrid Lyons of Save the Boundary Waters emphasizes this concern, citing America’s plentiful copper supply and suggesting that risking natural treasures for additional copper is unwarranted.

Copper’s importance in modern technology cannot be overstated; it is as vital as lithium and cobalt in powering batteries and essential for the production of electronic devices. It is a key component in electrical infrastructure, from power lines to electronic gadgets. According to Debra Struhsacker, a consultant for the mining sector, copper’s role in electricity makes it a critical metal, with demand unlikely to diminish.

The U.S. copper market has seen considerable fluctuation over the past 20 years, marked by a consistent shortfall in domestic smelting compared to mining output. In 2024, the U.S. produced an estimated 1.1 million tons of copper, a third of which was exported in unrefined form, while importing 810,000 tons of primarily refined copper. Most of these imports came from Chile, the world’s top copper producer, with additional supplies sourced from Canada, Mexico, and Peru.

As copper demand is expected to rise with the growth of renewable energy infrastructure and electric vehicles, the capacity for domestic production is a pressing issue. Trump’s executive orders have been proactive in this context, lifting regulatory barriers on mining and advocating for the identification and development of critical mineral sources within the U.S.

Key projects facing obstacles are at the forefront of the mining industry’s agenda. These include the Twin Metals mine in Minnesota, the NewRange Copper Nickel mine, and the Resolution Copper project in Arizona—all facing environmental and regulatory challenges. The Copper World project in Arizona, also hampered by judiciary rulings, further exemplifies these hurdles. Each of these endeavors is driven by international corporations, highlighting the significant presence of foreign investments in U.S. mining initiatives.

Critics like Rob Peters of Save the Scenic Santa Ritas urge a national strategy for existing mine optimization rather than opening new sites, which, they argue, benefit foreign entities over local interests. The historical dominance of Arizona copper, which once placed the U.S. as the leader in copper production but now ranks fifth globally, emphasizes the potential for renewed mining growth with coordinated policy support. Struhsacker notes the necessity for improved government coordination to streamline permitting and facilitate mining development, as outlined in Trump’s executive orders.