Sen. John Hickenlooper, a champion of bipartisan critical minerals legislation, has been hosting dinners with major mining companies and the nation’s largest environmental groups to find common ground around the need to develop raw materials.
The Colorado Democrat and former geologist said at an event hosted by Critical Minerals Security Program in Washington that he’s finding a “common set of goals” among industry and green groups and a recognition that minerals are needed to fuel the energy transition, fight climate change and compete with adversaries like China and Russia.
“My wife and I renovated an old little row house, but we can seat eight or 10 people, so we’ve had some dinners with … mining CEOs from around the world, some of the largest mining companies … and leaders of the largest environmental organizations,” said Hickenlooper.
The goal, he continued, is to discuss “alignment” and buy-in around the need for minerals. He said he’s finding there’s more attention being given to the urgent need for reform to secure minerals, compete internationally and secure supply chains.
