Finding ORE Act

The Finding ORE Act would allow the Secretary of the Interior to establish agreements with foreign countries that have critical minerals and rare earth elements. These agreements would involve scientific and technical cooperation to map mineral reserves and build capacity in partner nations. The bill aims to strengthen U.S. supply chains for materials essential to modern technology, batteries, and defense applications. When negotiating these partnerships, the Secretary would seek to ensure that U.S. and allied companies get first opportunity to develop discovered resources, encourage private investment in exploration and processing, and protect sensitive mapping data from unauthorized access. The bill would also require the Secretary to consult with the State Department and private companies when selecting and working with partner countries. If enacted, this legislation could help secure access to critical minerals while supporting economic development in allied nations through training and technical assistance programs.