Coalition to support federal mineral science and information activities

Fifteen organizations united to form the Mineral Science and Information Coalition (MSIC) to advocate for reinvigorated minerals science and information functions in the federal government.

According to the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), federal programs in minerals science, research, information, data collection and analysis have been weakened over the 10 years. As an example, SME points out that funding for the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Mineral Resources Program has decreased by 30 percent.

The coalition will ask Congress and the Obama administration to increase investment in and support for federal minerals research, information gathering, analysis, and forecasting to sustain economic prosperity and ensure national security.

Current members of MSIC include the Aluminum Association, American Exploration & Mining Association, American Geosciences Institute, Associated Equipment Distributors, Association of American State Geologists, Geological Society of America, Industrial Minerals Association – North America, Interstate Mining Compact Commission, Materials Research Society, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, National Mining Association, National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, Portland Cement Association, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc., and the Society of Economic Geologists. Other groups are in the process of joining the coalition.