@nationalmining: NMA-TV Mining Minute 9-5-2025 With power-hungry technologies like AI driving electricity demand, the U.S. data center industry is calling on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to speed up the licensing of nuclear reactors. In a letter sent Aug. 28 to the NRC, the Data Center Coalition asked the agency to update its regulations to ensure quicker deployment of advanced nuclear reactors, including small modular reactors and microreactors. Specifically, they’re looking for simplified environmental assessments, faster licensing, and allowing reactors to be located closer to population centers. And even as the data center industry highlights surging electricity, Senate Democrats in Congress are preparing to challenge President Trump’s declaration of an energy emergency. Sens. Tim Kaine and Martin Heinrich want to force a vote on legislation to reject the declaration; their efforts resulted in a loss earlier this year. The senators are pointing to renewables projects cancelled by the administration as the source of the emergency. Although their effort failed before, they’re trying again because the president must refresh his declaration every six months. And because I’m rarely able to escape a week where we didn’t talk about President Trump and trade deals for minerals, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he has spoken with President Trump on the topic of critical minerals, security and trade. Australia has significant natural resources and a robust mining sector, with access to minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt, but it sells most as a raw ore that is processed in Chinese factories. Australia is reportedly now considering creating a strategic mineral reserve to harden supply chains.

National Mining Association

Open In TikTok:

Region: US

Friday 05 September 2025 12:58:32 GMT