The Finding ORE Act lets the Secretary of the Interior, through the U.S. Geological Survey Director, enter into memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with partner foreign countries to cooperate on mapping critical minerals and rare earth elements. The bill defines partner countries and lists covered rare earth elements. It says the Secretary should aim to increase the security and resilience of international supply chains by helping partner countries map mineral reserves, offering U.S. or allied companies a right of first refusal for development, and encouraging private investment and financing that prioritizes processing in the United States or allied countries. The MOUs can include collecting and analyzing geologic, geophysical, geochemical, and remote sensing data; prospectivity mapping; resource assessment; scientific collaboration; training and capacity building; education at higher education institutions; and cooperation among government, academia, and private companies. The Secretary must notify Congress 30 days before entering an MOU, collaborate with the Secretary of State on selecting partners and implementing MOUs, and consult relevant private sector actors as appropriate.
No publicly available information. The bill text does not specify funding amounts, authorizations for appropriations, or cost estimates.
The bill's stated objectives are to increase the security and resilience of international supply chains for critical minerals and rare earth elements by: assisting partner countries to map mineral reserves; facilitating private-sector investment and preferential financing that favors processing in the United States or allied countries; offering U.S. or allied companies a right of first refusal for further development; protecting mapping data from unauthorized access by non-parties or non-allied countries; and building partner-country capacity through training, education, and scientific collaboration.
No publicly available information. The bill text does not include statements of opposition or critiques.