The term "mining industry" is all-inclusive and includes mining companies, suppliers and specialized equipment manufacturers. The industry is separated into three groups: hard-rock mining, which includes metallic minerals such as copper, gold, and zinc; industrial minerals, such as clays, sand, fluorspar, and cement; and fuel minerals, such as coal and uranium. As such, the mining industry has a pivotal role in U.S. national security by providing strategic metals and minerals as well as a source of domestic fuels. This latter point is of particular relevance to INL's mission as lead nuclear laboratory, since the production of uranium will be of increasing importance as the use of nuclear reactors for domestic power generation increases.
Annual U.S. sales for the industry are approximately $430 billion. The U.S. hardrock sector, because of its complex minerals, depends on advancing technologies to help it maintain world competitiveness. With the increased environmental focus of government, the closure of the Bureau of Mines and several mining schools, and downsizing of their own research organizations, mining companies have been forced to seek needed process technologies elsewhere, more often overseas. The mining industry is just becoming aware of the quality of technology development available at the national laboratories through DOE funded research. As ore grades in the U.S. are continuing to decline, or become more complex in nature, and as environmental concerns swell, the industry is beginning to understand that innovative technology development will be the key to their survival. Mining is becoming "high-tech."
The hardrock industry is the most technically astute of the mining groups and is constantly seeking new technology to remain competitive. Approximately 80% of all hardrock, approximately 50% of the coal, and all of the uranium mining in the U.S. is located within the boundaries of eight Western states. It is the objective of INL to fill the void created by the elimination of the Bureau of Mines by Congress and increase the competitiveness of the U.S. mining industry by the increased application of innovative technology.
- Contacts:
- Bill Apel, (208) 526-1783, Send E-mail