Finding ORE Act

This bill would allow the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the U.S. Geological Survey, to sign agreements with agencies of foreign countries that are sources of critical minerals and rare earth elements to cooperate on mapping those minerals. In negotiating these agreements, the Secretary would seek to help the partner country map its mineral reserves and to offer companies based in the U.S. or allied countries the right of first refusal to develop those minerals. The agreements would also aim to encourage private investment and to protect mapping data from access by entities in countries outside the agreement or not allied with the U.S. The Secretary would have to notify Congress 30 days before entering an agreement, work with the Secretary of State, and consult with private-sector groups.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Robert J. Wittman Republican sponsor
• 12 cosponsors