White Papers

WMC White Papers

The Women's Mining Coalition periodically publishes white papers related to current issues affecting the mining industry. Pertinent white papers from other organizations are also included on this page.

Lithium: The Lightest Metal has a Heavyweight Impact!

The USA has the lithium resources to develop its own battery supply chain, from mining of the minerals to the manufacturing of batteries, enabling our Nation to meet low carbon energy goals without the risk of supply disruption.

Comments on Interagency Efforts to Develop the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas

The Women’s Mining Coalition (WMC) submits comments in response to the Secretary of the Interior’s request for information on the types of conservation efforts that should be included in the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas that the Secretary is developing along with the other federal agencies that are participating in an Interagency Working Group.

Sage Grouse Conservation Comments

WMC comments in response to BLM’s Notice of Intent to amend land use plans for greater sage grouse conservation.

Mining Investment Fact Sheet

A High Gross Royalty Would Threaten Billions of Mining Investment Dollars. Jeopardizes Capital Investments, Jobs, and Economic Opportunities in Western Mining States

Energy Transition

Where are Critical Minerals going to come from to meet our Future Energy Needs? The future of America’s energy transition is completely dependent upon the availability of critical minerals for modernizing electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. U.S. decision makers need to have the information necessary to ensure our nation develops policies for an adequate and ethical supply of these minerals.

SILVER: Economic Importance and Public Health Benefits of Silver

Policies are Needed to Enable Production of More Domestic Silver, Reduce Silver Imports, and Promote Research on Expanded Silver Uses in Medicine.

Mining Law Fifth Amendment Takings Analysis (AEMA)

This white paper discusses the protected rights and interests held by U.S. citizens who invest their time, effort, and capital to explore for, identify, and develop our country’s much-needed minerals under the General Mining Law. It addresses whether these rights and interests are protected by the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution and evaluates past Congressional amendments and attempted changes to the General Mining Law which successfully avoided an unconstitutional taking.

House Budget Bill Will Increase our Reliance on China for Critical Minerals

Hardrock Mining provisions will decrease domestic critical mineral production and thwart the nation’s clean energy goals.

Mining Law Reform: Three Decades Later

H.R. 7580: Proposed Legislation in Search of Problems: The Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act According to the April 2022 Fact Sheet from House Natural Resources Committee Chair Raúl Grijalva, the Mining Law of 1872 is in need of significant reform. We disagree!

The U.S. Mining Law’s Role in Strengthening Domestic Mineral Supply Chains.

Maintaining this Law is Critical to Reducing our Reliance on China and Other Foreign Minerals. Recent Bills Would Reduce Domestic Mineral Production and Increase China’s and Russia’s Leverage Over Minerals Essential to our Economy, Defense, and Clean Energy

Where Does Lithium Come From?

Energy Transition: Lithium Resources. In order to meet the 2030 goals, the USA will need 500,000 tons of lithium carbonate (Li2CO3). The USA has untapped lithium resources which can be part of producing our needs for the energy transition if they can be permitted and brought into production in a timely fashion.

Build Back Better Act Will Increase Mineral Imports and Weaken Supply Chains

The Build Back Better Act Will Nullify The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill’s Critical Minerals Provisions.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Contains Provisions to Increase Domestic Production of Critical Minerals and Stimulate Domestic Battery Materials Processing Capacity.

Hardrock Royalty Program Will Require More Mining

The Future Success Of A Hardrock Royalty Program Will Require More Mining.How Many Mines Are Subject To The U.S. Mining Law
Where A Future Hardrock Royalty Could Apply?
Federal land managers do not track mineral production and cannot answer this question.

Coal Facts Sheet - Where it's found and what it is.

Part 1 of a multipart series. On a world-wide basis, coal is found on six of the seven continents. The Coal fact sheet includes information about types of coal and how it is used.

30 Things - Everyday Things Mining Makes Possible.

Everything comes from somewhere. If it didn’t grow, it was mined. This fantastic document shows the elements in things like electricity, solar panels, meat & veggies, and so much more! Roads, lenses, cleaning products – all these products are made possible by mining.

Gold - The Monetary, Investment, and Technology Metal

This WMC White paper is about policies that Promote Domestic Gold Exploration and Development Important to our Economic Recovery. (July 2020)

Mining's Role in Our Economic Recovery

The Covid Pandemic and economic crisis make the worst possible time for legislation that would reduce domestic mining and exacerbate supply chain vulnerabilities. (July 2020)

Lessons From China - White paper from WMC and American Agri-Women

America has a great wealth of critical minerals that will secure a clean independent technological and energy future, but only if we support and help develop the domestic mineral production and processing of our mineral resources. (May 2020)

Public Health Benefits of Copper

Copper has proven antimicrobial and anti-viral properties that could play an important role in fighting the COVID-19 virus and in minimizing the spread of other viruses and bacteria that could cause future pandemics. WMC White Paper (April 2020)

Combatting Coronavirus with Smarter Surfaces.

The viruses and bacteria that make us sick can survive on hard surfaces, sometimes up to five days. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that we must rethink our approach to physical infrastructure. Antimicrobial surfaces that naturally kill viruses offer a clear solution. National Mining Association Infographic. (May 2020)