Bill > S1463

This bill, known as the Finding Opportunities for Resource Exploration (Finding ORE) Act, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with foreign countries to cooperatively map and explore critical minerals and rare earth elements. The bill defines key terms like "critical minerals" and "rare earth elements" and outlines specific objectives for these international partnerships, including increasing the security of global mineral supply chains, ensuring U.S. and allied companies have first rights to mineral development, and facilitating private sector investment. The cooperative activities outlined include geological data collection, prospectivity mapping, scientific collaboration, training, and capacity building. Before entering into an MOU, the Secretary must notify and report to Congress, obtain concurrence from the Secretary of State, and consult with private sector actors. The bill emphasizes cooperation with NATO members, major non-NATO allies, and partner countries that are sources of critical minerals. Additionally, the bill includes a congressional sense that the United States should prioritize onshoring critical mineral processing, while ensuring that mapping data remains protected from unauthorized access by non-allied countries.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1463/all-info