[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 81 (Tuesday, May 11, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E496-E497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF MINING IN ARIZONA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PAUL A. GOSAR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 2021

  Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize those that fight 
for true economic independence in this country, the mining industry. 
Recently, the Arizona State Senate passed a resolution recognizing and 
honoring the importance of mining in Arizona and the nation at large 
which was joined by the Arizona House of Representatives in a 
Concurrent Resolution, No. 2009.
  As a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, a variety of 
energy subcommittees, and as former Chairman of the Western Caucus, I 
have worked with the mining industry and I understand the difficult job 
the industry has in navigating a political climate that takes for 
granted its indispensable and vital products. Indeed, many misguided, 
naive, or simply ignorant people seek to ban mining, restrict it, or 
eradicate it from our lands. This is foolish and only increases the 
costs of every product made with mined resources (which is almost 
everything) and makes us reliant on China and Russia.
  I am proffering the Arizona Concurrent Resolution for the 
Congressional Record for all to see that at this time in history, the 
leaders of Arizona understand the importance of mining and will not 
allow federal bureaucrats and radical environmental socialists to shut 
down our key industry.

                    HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2009

     Filed: Secretary of State
     State of Arizona,
     House of Representatives,
     Fifty-fifth Legislature,
     First Regular Session,
     2021.

  A Concurrent Resolution--Recognizing the Importance of the Hardrock 
           Mining Industry to Arizona's Economic Well-Being.

       Whereas, hardrock mining has played a central role in the 
     development of Arizona's economy since before statehood: and
       Whereas, copper produced from hardrock mining is one of the 
     ``Five C's'' that established Arizona's economy and continues 
     to provide quality jobs for Arizona residents; and

[[Page E497]]

       Whereas, copper and other minerals produced through the 
     hardrock mining process are critical to developing and 
     manufacturing low-carbon energy sources, including, PV cells, 
     wind turbines, electric vehicles, medical equipment and 
     battery storage; and
       Whereas, each 3MW wind turbine requires approximately 4.7 
     tons of copper to produce reliable low-carbon energy; and
       Whereas, PV cell production accounts for seven percent of 
     global silver demand; and
       Whereas, the World Bank estimates that in the next twenty-
     five years the world will need 550 million tons of copper, 
     which is equal to all the copper produced in the previous 
     five thousand years, to meet low-carbon energy demands; and
       Whereas, according to the United States Geological Survey, 
     Arizona was second in the nation in the value of 2018 nonfuel 
     mineral production, which includes sand and gravel, cement 
     and crushed stone as well as copper and other minerals such 
     as molybdenum, lead, zinc, gold, silver, coal and uranium; 
     and
       Whereas, Arizona has been the nation's top producer of 
     copper for more than a century, delivering two-thirds of 
     United States copper exports and sixty-eight percent of the 
     nation's copper; and
       Whereas, mining activity and employment opportunities are 
     distributed widely throughout the state and provide economic 
     benefits for every Arizona county; and
       Whereas, the hardrock mining industry is Arizona's second 
     largest industry by economic impact, directly and indirectly 
     employing more than 38,900 valuable and important individuals 
     with an average income higher than Arizona's median wage in 
     2018 who are a part of the successes of the mining industry; 
     and
       Whereas, in 2018, the hardrock mining industry directly and 
     indirectly generated $370 million in state and local tax 
     revenues, creating a total economic impact of $11.4 billion; 
     and
       Whereas, to ensure that mining operations are safe for 
     employees, communities and the environment, the hardrock 
     mining industry is regulated by a combination of state and 
     federal agencies, including the Arizona Department of 
     Environmental Quality, the United States Environmental 
     Protection Agency, the Arizona State Mine Inspector's Office 
     and the United States Department of Labor Mine Safety and 
     Health Administration.
       Therefore, be it resolved, by the House of Representatives 
     of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:
       That the Members of the Legislature recognize the 
     importance of the hardrock mining industry to Arizona's 
     economy and support the involvement of Arizona's government 
     and the hardrock mining industry in any future regulatory 
     changes to ensure that operations continue to be safe and 
     productive for the State of Arizona.
       Passed the House February 4, 2021 by the following vote: 58 
     Ayes, 1 Nays, 0 Not Voting, 1 Vacant.
       Unanimously Adopted by the Senate:
       Passed the Senate April 22, 2021 by the following vote: - 
     Ayes, - Nays, - Not Voting.


      executive department of arizona office of secretary of state

       This Resolution received by the Secretary of State this 
     22nd day of April, 2021 at 3:15 o'clock P.M.

                          ____________________