Thank you to all who joined us at MINExpo 2024! This year’s show was the biggest ever, with over 45,000 attendees and 2,000 exhibitors from 148 countries. CMA was proud to partner with the National Mining Association and our fellow state mining associations to exhibit at the State Mining Associations and Universities Pavilion. The record-breaking attendance and strong exhibitor presence at this year’s MINExpo reflected the turning point the mining industry is currently in as mined minerals become increasingly vital for carbon-free energy objectives, national security interests, and advanced technology applications. I had the opportunity to discuss current mining trends in Colorado on NMA TV during the expo. I was proud to report on the success of mining operations in the state and prospects for future growth. I also spoke at the Washington Coal Club event in Las Vegas about the continued role of coal in Colorado and its economic contribution to our state.
In early September, CMA was proud to welcome the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to Denver for the Chamber’s Second Annual Critical Minerals Mission to the U.S. This year’s mission built on the positive reception of the first event in Washinton D.C. in 2023 and highlighted Western mining issues and the continued partnership between the U.S. and Canada to meet the growing demand for critical minerals. CMA coordinated with the Chamber on a panel discussion covering the state of mining in Colorado, including current market trends, regulatory and legal challenges, Colorado’s unique role as the hub of mining in the West, and the contributions it can make to the rapidly growing critical minerals segment.
I also participated in a permitting panel discussion at the Colorado School of Mines Critical Minerals Symposium. This outstanding event brought together industry leaders, academic professionals, and government officials to address various issues associated with critical minerals. The permitting panel provided a valuable forum to discuss the significant impediment that our current permitting framework presents to attracting investment and meeting critical minerals supply demands for energy transition objectives and national defense, as well as potential solutions to these issues.
CMA also joined a coalition of allied state mining associations in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court case Seven County Infrastructure at al., v. Eagle County, Colorado et al. The case centers on whether the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires agencies to study environmental impacts beyond the proximate effects of the action over which the agency has regulatory authority. Our amicus brief focused on the need to properly focus NEPA reviews on developing critical minerals on a scale necessary to meet national demand, the degree to which NEPA analyses beyond the scope and authority of agency actions serve as a major obstacle to minerals development, and the importance of right-sizing NEPA review consistent with Congress’s 2023 NEPA amendments.
We also continue to engage on regulatory developments in the water space as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment begins developing regulations to implement the State’s dredge and fill program enacted this past May (HB24-1379). CMA has also been working with the Water Quality Control Division to address transparency gaps with the current public comment process for water permits and resolve the excessive backlog for industry and commerce water permits.
With the end of the year quickly approaching, we will soon turn our attention to CMA activities in early 2025. In addition to the annual CMA Legislative Reception at the Brown Palace previously highlighted in this newsletter, we are also excited to announce the 127th National Western Mining Conference held in conjunction with the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration’s MINEXCHANGE at the Colorado Convention Center from February 24-26. Remember to save the date for our largest event of the year and stay tuned for additional information on attendance and sponsorship opportunities!
Adam Eckman
President & CEO
Colorado Mining Association
