Daines Leads Charge to Introduce Bill to Protect Montana Mining Jobs

Bill Bans the Import of Critical Minerals from Russia

Press release from Senator Steve Daines’ office

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines, Senator Tim Sheehy, Congressman Troy Downing and Congressman Ryan Zinke today introduced a bicameral bill to protect Montana mining jobs by banning the import of critical minerals from Russia, including platinum, palladium and copper, which can all be mined in America.

“There is no reason the United States should run to Russia for critical minerals that can be found right here at home, including in Montana. Under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, American mines were under attack and Montana workers paid the price. We’re turning a new leaf with President Trump and this bill will put American mines and American jobs first,” said Daines.

“Reducing our dependence on other countries for critical minerals is the epitome of America First common sense. During the Biden administration, hardworking Montanans in the mining industry suffered while their federal government spent their tax dollars on overseas minerals that we can get here at home. There’s a new sheriff in town with President Trump back in the White House, and I’m proud to join our Montana delegation on this important legislation,” said Sheehy.

“The United States goes to great lengths to protect our defense technology; however, when it comes to protecting the supply of critical minerals to make the tech, we shoot ourselves in the foot. No more. This bill will stop foreign manipulation of our domestic mining and ensure that American mining and processing continue to grow and fuel the market. We cannot allow our resources to be undercut by countries that actively go against American policies and values,” said Zinke.

“Commodity dumping by Russia, China, and other foreign actors have put Montana’s miners at a competitive disadvantage for too long. Montana is home to the only platinum and palladium mines in the United States. It is past time that we prioritize these jobs rather than sourcing key minerals from our adversaries. I'm proud to spearhead this legislation in the House and look forward to seeing it make a difference in the lives of my constituents," said Downing.

Read the bill text HERE.

Background:

The bill would prohibit the import of the following minerals until Russia ends hostilities with Ukraine:

1. Braggite

2. Copper

3. Nickel

4. Palladium

5. Platinum

6. Rhodium

7. Ruthenium

8. Zinc

Daines originally introduced this bill in the 118^th Congress in response to the 700 layoffs at the Sibayne-Stillwater Mine as a result of the Biden-Harris administration. Stillwater Mine is one of only a few mines in America that produces palladium and platinum, but the Biden administration allowed Russia to flood the market with cheap minerals, causing the price of palladium and platinum to plummet. Read the press release HERE.

Statements of Support:

“We are extremely grateful that our Montana Delegation, led by Senator Daines, recognizes the very important task of responsibly producing critical minerals right here in Montana for use in the United States. As the only primary producer of palladium in the country, we are forced to compete in a global market controlled by Russian palladium production. We are committed to paying our people living wages, to contributing significant resources to our communities through mining taxes, to the highest environmental standards, and to the rural vitality of our valleys and Montana itself. We can provide US palladium under these standards for decades to come, but Russian palladium dumping must be addressed for our global market. We are one of the very few examples of domestic critical minerals production where the products are refined and used right here in the US, and this bill is critical to ensuring that work continues,”— Heather McDowell, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Legal and External Affairs, Sibayne-Stillwater