Biden Administration’s Mine Permitting Report Fails to Address Delays in Critical Mineral Projects, Inspector General Finds

The Biden administration’s report on mine permitting failed to address delays that are hampering critical mineral projects, according to a report by the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General. The report highlighted the complexity faced by federal officials in attempting to analyze, track and decipher the complicated permitting processes for mines, including those used to produce materials like lithium for electric vehicle batteries. The Biden administration is attempting to accelerate permitting while balancing balancing the need to protect vulnerable and sacred lands.