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Strategic minerals: Federal legislation may carve up wilderness lands in a race to keep up with the Soviets

Journal Article · · Mine Talk; (United States)
OSTI ID:5761308
Nevada Rep. Jim Santini believes the nation is currently engaged in combat with the Soviet Union over vital raw materials. He has introduced H.R. 3364, the National Minerals Security Act which calls for the creation of a new cabinet-level Minerals Council and a change in the tax laws to assist the mining industry. Of 36 key minerals which the United States imports, the Soviet Union is completely self-sufficient in 28. The US is 89 percent import-reliant for platinum and the two largest suppliers are South Africa and the Soviet Union. H.R. 3364 will not glide through the Congress. The Reagan Administration, however, supports the principal thrust of Santini's efforts: open up the public lands to development. The Wilderness Act of 1964 contained a 20-year grace period for the mining companies to stake new claims in wilderness areas. The mining surveys that Representaive Santini wants for all federal lands are currently conducted in proposed wilderness areas. Thus far, roughly 25 million acres of Forest Service lands have been surveyed for mineral potential. (DP)
OSTI ID:
5761308
Journal Information:
Mine Talk; (United States), Journal Name: Mine Talk; (United States) Vol. 1:3; ISSN METKD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English