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The National Mining Association (NMA),
Washington, recently surveyed senior
manufacturing executives highlighting
the importance of domestic minerals
and metals in manufacturing supply
chains. Conducted by Edelman
Berland, results show that a large
majority of respondents are concerned
about mineral availability. The growing
global population and development
of new technologies and products
that rely on greater combinations
of minerals have increased the
manufacturing industry’s demand for
raw materials.
Of the large percentage of respondents
who note minerals and metals supply
as a top concern for their organizations,
91% express worries about minerals
and supply chain disruptions outside
of their control, citing geopolitics and
increasing global demand as the most
pressing factors. U.S. manufacturers
currently rely on foreign countries
for more than half of the minerals
and metals they use. Further, most of
the executives surveyed also believe
minerals and metals demand will only
increase in the next five to 10 years.
In other findings, 80% of respondents
note the importance of sourcing
minerals and metals domestically,
with the most important reasons cited
as job creation, national security, and
international competitiveness.
Establishment of new mines in
the U.S. currently takes seven to
10 years. According to the survey,
76% of manufacturing executives
say the existing permitting process
is unacceptable, and 95% believe
it to be a serious threat to U.S.
competitiveness. Approximately 90%
support streamlining the process to
less than three years. Other developed
nations such as Canada and Australia
complete the permitting process in two
to three years.
As a result of the survey, NMA will
continue to seek public policies
that provide a more predictable and
efficient permitting process to feed
the manufacturing supply chain.
The U.S. House of Representatives
recently passed The Strategic and
Critical Minerals Production Act for
the third time, and NMA urges the
Senate to take up similar legislation
to bolster domestic manufacturing
industries.
The survey included more than
400 senior executives in the
manufacturing industry or industries
impacted heavily by manufacturing.
Respondents were screened to
ensure their role in minerals and
metals procurement for their
company. For more information, visit
.
MARKET SPOTLIGHT
A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 5
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MANUFACTURING EXECUTIVESWORRY
ABOUTMINERALS SUPPLY FEEDBACK
EXPLORING THEMYSTERY
OFWROUGHT IRON
I thoroughly enjoyed the historical
article about wrought iron
(“Metallurgy Lane,” February 2014),
which I recently came across.
Perhaps the author can answer a
question that has been on my mind
for some time: Why don’t wrought
iron railroad rails rust away?
Stephen Kurtin
[Your question applies to all wrought
iron products. The best answer is
that wrought iron contains several
percent slag by weight. This slag
is elongated in the direction of hot
working and is visible only under
the microscope. The surface ferrite
begins to rust upon exposure to
the atmosphere, which leaves the
slag particles standing in relief.
Eventually, enough slag is exposed
at the surface to form a continuous
coating that protects the ferrite
from further rust. In the April 2014
issue (“Feedback” column), one
reader pointed out that a wrought
iron pillar* in Delhi, India, has been
exposed to the weather for more
than 1600 years without rusting. I
hope this answers your question.—
Charles R. Simcoe]
*ASM Historical Landmark.
We welcome all comments and
suggestions. Send letters to
FAST FACTS ABOUT U.S. MINERALS
• For every job in metals mining, an estimated 2.3 additional jobs are generated.
• The U.S. is 100% reliant on foreign countries for 17 critical and strategic minerals.
• $8.1 billion worth of minerals are imported from foreign countries.
• The U.S. contains $6.2 trillion worth of untapped mineral resources.
Source: naturalresources.house.gov