Federal Land Holds Untapped Minerals, Yet Government Lacks Basic Inventory

In response to President Donald Trump’s order for the Pentagon to lessen dependence on overseas mineral supplies, the Interior Department highlighted a fundamental flaw: the federal government does not possess a complete, current record of the minerals under its lands, which total roughly 28% of the United States. A study by the Pacific Legal Foundation reveals that agencies have failed to keep a publicly accessible inventory, despite statutory mandates dating back to the Wilderness Act of 1964 and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.

Earlier surveys in the 1970s and 1980s identified thousands of potential sites, including large copper, nickel, and cobalt deposits, but no ongoing effort has refreshed that data with modern technology. The lack of reliable information means decisions to block development for conservation may unintentionally lock away critical resources needed for domestic supply chains. The authors argue that Congress should impose clear deadlines, regular reporting, and independent audits to compel agencies to produce a searchable, detailed resource database. Such an inventory would not dictate mining but would enable informed choices between preservation and responsible extraction.