It's being called the rare issue where Democrats, Republicans, the White House and industry are all aligned, and that's securing our minerals supply chains. This morning there's reporting that members of Congress from both Chambers and parties are working with the White House on a critical minerals legislative package to reduce Chinese supply chain dominance. The package will be rolled out in January.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said yesterday that congress is closer to permitting reform than ever before. Quote, "The chance of a real permitting reform bill is maybe higher than it's ever been," he said. We certainly hope he's right.

And there's a bit more color to the big announcement from yesterday on Korea Zinc's U.S. plans. As part of its work to establish a position here in the U.S. it will be acquiring Nyrstar's East Tennessee and Mid Tennessee mining complexes and its Clarksville smelter, which is the sole primary zinc smelter in the U.S. The plan is for the refinery to build out the capability to produce a full range of critical minerals including zinc, copper, antimony, lead, rare earths and more.