Sandra Wirtz Director of Research
Director of Research
Aluminium
Major Uses: domestic consumption, transportation, building, electrical
Import Dependency for U.S.: 38%
Major Importers: Canada, Russia, China, Mexico
Promoting the development of American mineral resources.
Sandra Wirtz
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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).
Related Links & Articles
ARTICLE: U.S. Senator: Embrace Domestic Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals “Before It’s Too Late”
METALS & MINERALS 101
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Iron
Major Uses: construction, transportation (predominantly automotive), cans and containers
Import Dependency for U.S.: 7%
Major Importers: Canada, European Union, China, Mexico -
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
Major Uses: building construction, electric and electronic products, and transportation equipment
Import Dependency for U.S.: 30%
Major Importers: Chile, Canada, Peru, Mexico -
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
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
Major Uses: automotive electronics, pagers, personal computers, and portable telephones
Import Dependency for U.S.: 100%
Major Importers: Australia, China, Kazakhstan, Germany -
Rhenium
Major Uses: petroleum-reforming catalysts, superalloys used in turbine engine components
Import Dependency for U.S.: 86%
Major Importers: Chile, Netherlands -
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
Major Uses: Jewelry and arts, electrical and electronics, dental and other
Import Dependency for U.S.: 33%
Major Importers: Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile
