The issue isn’t that the U.S. doesn’t have the ability to mine these minerals. The problem is that mine permitting, in Minnesota and elsewhere, takes too long, seven to 10 years or more.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced last week that it is extending its comment period for proposed restrictions on mining of the Pebble deposit. The comment period was originally set to end in July. Now, it will continue for two more months to September 6.