YourVoice.Now Summary
Corporate BenefitsTransparency & AccountabilityU.S. geologists could help map other countries' critical minerals — with American and allied firms first in line to develop them.
Corporate Benefits
Any deal the Geological Survey signs would have to offer companies headquartered in the United States or an allied country the first chance to develop the minerals the mapping finds. Allied country means a NATO member or a country the U.S. has formally named a major non-NATO ally.
The Interior Secretary would have to consult private companies when choosing which countries to work with, and when deciding how a deal can best draw private money into mining those minerals.
Transparency & Accountability
At least 30 days before signing, the Secretary would have to notify six committees of the House and Senate and hand them a report on the partners, the scope, the planned work, the estimated cost, and the funding source. Today no such deal or report exists.
More about this bill
Most people would see no change in daily life. The bill would let the U.S. Geological Survey sign deals with other countries to map their critical minerals and rare earth elements. Those are the materials used in phones, electric cars, and military gear. The stated aim is steadier supplies of them. The deals would be optional, and the bill sets aside no money for them. Companies based in the United States or in allied countries would get the first chance to develop what the mapping turns up. Before signing a deal, the Interior Secretary would have to tell six committees of Congress 30 days ahead. That notice must list the estimated costs and where the money would come from. The Secretary of State would have to agree to each deal first.
Congressional Summary
Finding Opportunities for Resource Exploration Act or the Finding ORE Act This bill allows the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to partner with a foreign country in mapping the country's reserves of critical minerals and rare earth elements. A critical mineral is any mineral, element, substance, or material designated as critical by USGS because it is essential to U.S. economic and national security, has a vulnerable supply chain, and serves an essential function in manufacturing a product. Rare earth elements have catalytic, magnetic, electrical, and luminescent properties vital for civilian and defense purposes. In negotiating a MOU, USGS must seek to increase the security and resilience of international supply chains for critical minerals and rare earth elements by committing to assisting the partner foreign country through cooperative activities that help it map reserves; ensuring that private companies headquartered in the United States or an allied foreign country are offered the right of first refusal in the further development of critical minerals and rare earth elements in the partner foreign country; facilitating private-sector investment in the exploration and development of critical minerals and rare earth elements; and ensuring that the mapping data is protected against unauthorized access by, or disclosure to, governmental or private entities based in non-allied countries. USGS must obtain the concurrence of the Department of State in prioritizing and selecting partner foreign countries, negotiating or implementing a MOU, and notifying and reporting to Congress about issues related to a MOU.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Reported to Senate
- Action Date
- 2025-06-18
- Date Added
- 2026-09-15
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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