The National Mining Association yesterday released the results of polling that was conducted over the weekend, which found overwhelming American support for mining.

The national polling, which was conducted by The Harris Poll found, in part, 83 percent of Americans believe increasing domestic minerals mining is important to U.S. economic and national security. It also found that 57% of Americans support keeping coal plants open longer to meet growing energy demands and keep costs lower.

The Trump administration plans to use a Pentagon-created AI program to help set prices for minerals as part of its efforts to impose "reference prices for critical minerals at each stage of production" that could be backed by adjustable tariffs. DARPA's OPEN AI program works to determine what minerals should be priced when considering labor, processing and other costs when those factors are considered without Chinese market manipulation.

Finally, looking at the world's mineral supply chains, Zimbabwe has suspended exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates. In an announcement on Wednesday, the Minister of Mines said the move includes all minerals "currently in transit". The export ban on lithium concentrates had originally been scheduled to come into effect in January 2027, and is significant because Zimbabwe holds Africa's largest lithium reserves, with most of the country's concentrate exported to China for processing.