CopperMatters.org Shows that Resource Dependency goes beyond Rare Earth Elements

Washington, D.C. – The American Resources Policy Network announced today that it would expand on its messaging in favor of exploring the available non-fuel resources in America by launching a campaign for copper, antimony, and lithium – elements readily available in the country, yet not adequately developed.

“We have consistently argued that America’s metals and minerals dependency, which threatens our strategic and economic future, stretches well beyond exotic high-tech metals like rare earths,” said ARPN’s Daniel McGroarty. “It also impacts other mineral resources, including mainstay industrial metals.”

In the coming months, American Resources will embark on an informational campaign to highlight the breadth of the nation’s metals and minerals needs by drilling down into three critically important elements that exemplify America’s unnecessary, and potentially dangerous, dependence on foreign resources.

More about copper, antimony, and lithium:

Copper:

• A mainstay metal that continues to be a critical material in electronics, the construction industry, durable goods, hybrid vehicles, and military applications.
• According to the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, there are 550 million tons of copper in identified and undiscovered resources in the U.S.
• In 1993, America’s net import dependency rate for copper stood at only 7 percent; today, that number is closer to 30 percent.

Antimony:

• The use of antimony dates back to ancient times, when it was primarily utilized for medicinal purposes. Today, it is a key component in micro-electronics, and has many diversified uses for commercial and military applications.
• While significant deposits of minable antimony exist in the U.S., our import dependency rate for antimony is 93 percent, with China reportedly contributing around 90 percent of global output.
• The supply challenges associated with the versatile mineral against the background of surging demand have made antimony the top-ranked critical mineral on the British Geological Survey’s new Risk List 2011.

Lithium:

• An element with important utility for our energy needs, our import dependency rate stands at 43 percent, in spite of the fact that identified lithium resources in the United States total 4 million tons.
• Much of the world’s current supply comes from Chile, Argentina, and China, making potential supply disruptions a cause of concern.

The campaign will launch with the start of  what American Resources is deeming “Copper Month” on October 1, 2011.

“We will be dedicating an entire month to the discussion of copper-related issues,” says McGroarty. “To support our efforts, we have launched a microsite – an informational hub – that provides insight into copper’s many utilities, the role it plays in the generation of economic growth, social well-being and economic security, and any associated challenges.”

The American Resources’ “Copper Month” of October will be followed by “Antimony Month” and “Lithium Month” respectively, so stay tuned for upcoming spotlighting efforts on our blog, our Facebook page, and on Twitter. Please visit www.CopperMatters.org to learn more about the importance of this critical metal.

With the global race for resources heating up, industry, policy makers and consumers alike cannot afford to ignore the United States’ looming resource deficit.  We hope that through our “drill-down” efforts will we’re doing our part to help draw attention to the issues at hand.

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The American Resource Policy Network is a Carmot Strategic Group venture. For more information, visit www.americanresources.org or contact Director of Research Sandra Wirtz at americanresourcespn@gmail.com.