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American Resources Policy Network
Promoting the development of American mineral resources.

Sandra Wirtz Director of Research

Director of Research


Sandra Wirtz serves as Director of Research at the American Resources Policy Network. She also works as a public affairs consultant, and is an adjunct scholar at the James Madison Institute in Florida, a state-based free-market think tank. Wirtz has extensive experience working with U.S. policy makers at all levels of government, as well as academics, think tanks and grassroots organizations across the United States on a broad range of issues.

Previously, Wirtz covered federal, state and local government tax and spending issues as Government Affairs Manager at Americans for Tax Reform, an organization advocating for fiscal restraint and limited government. From 2004 to 2010, Wirtz was also a Contributing Editor for Budget & Tax News, a monthly publication issued by the Heartland Institute.

Wirtz is a graduate of the University of Bonn, Germany, where she earned her Master’s degree in Political Science, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Her op-eds and letters to the editor have been published in various national and local publications, and she has been a guest on various radio programs. She is also the co-author of ‘KRITIS – International Activities in the Area of Critical Infrastructure Protection’ (BIS, Bonn, Germany, 2003).

METALS & MINERALS 101

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  • Aluminium 13 Al 26.982
     

    Aluminium

    Major Uses: domestic consumption, transportation, building, electrical
    Import Dependency for U.S.: 38%
    Major Importers: Canada, Russia, China, Mexico

     
  • Iron 26 Fe 55.845
     

    Iron

    Major Uses: construction, transportation (predominantly automotive), cans and containers
    Import Dependency for U.S.: 7%
    Major Importers: Canada, European Union, China, Mexico

     
  • Cobalt 27 Co 58.933195
     

    Cobalt

    Major Uses: aircraft gas turbine engines, cemented carbides for cutting, wear-resistant applications
    Import Dependency for U.S.: 81%
    Major Importers: Norway, Russia, China, Canada

     
  • Copper 29 Cu 63.546
     

    Copper

    Major Uses: building construction, electric and electronic products, and transportation equipment
    Import Dependency for U.S.: 30%
    Major Importers: Chile, Canada, Peru, Mexico

     
  • Palladium 46 Pd 106.42
     

    Palladium

    Major Uses: catalysts to decrease harmful emissions in light- and heavy-duty vehicles, also used in chemical and petroleum refining sector, and fabrication of laboratory equipment
    Import Dependency for U.S.: 94%
    Major Importers: South Africa, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada

     
  • Silver 47 Ag 107.87
     

    Silver

    Major Uses: coins and medals, industrial applications, jewelry and silverware, and photography
    Import Dependency for U.S.: 65%
    Major Importers: Mexico, Canada, Peru, Chile

     
  • Tantalum 73 Ta 180.95
     

    Tantalum

    Major Uses: automotive electronics, pagers, personal computers, and portable telephones
    Import Dependency for U.S.: 100%
    Major Importers: Australia, China, Kazakhstan, Germany

     
  • Rhenium 75 Re 186.207
     

    Rhenium

    Major Uses: petroleum-reforming catalysts, superalloys used in turbine engine components
    Import Dependency for U.S.: 86%
    Major Importers: Chile, Netherlands

     
  • Platinum 78 Pt 195.084
     

    Platinum

    Major Uses: catalysts to decrease harmful emissions in light- and heavy-duty vehicles, also used in chemical and petroleum refining sector, and fabrication of laboratory equipment
    Import Dependency for U.S.: 94%
    Major Importers: South Africa, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada

     
  • Gold 79 Au 196.966
     

    Gold

    Major Uses: Jewelry and arts, electrical and electronics, dental and other
    Import Dependency for U.S.: 33%
    Major Importers: Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile

     

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